James (Jim) H. Collinson
1948-1992Rest
in peace,
beloved classmate |
From the newspaper:
Private
burial services for James Howard Collinson, 43, Lawrence, were
Wednesday at Colyer Cemetery near Lone Star. Mr.
Collinson died last Thursday, May 14, 1992, at his home. He was
born Nov. 24, 1948, in Topeka, the son of W.L. and Patricia
Collinson. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1966. He
began a career in radio with stations KLWN and WREN. He served
as the chief announcer for the Armed Forces Network in Europe
while serving in the U.S. Army. He later worked in Washington,
D.C., and New York City as vice president of Polydor Records
and in management and on the air for WNBC Radio. He recently
worked for several Kansas City-area radio stations.
Survivors include his wife, Mariko Semba, Cliffside Park,
N.J.; his mother, Lawrence; and two brothers, Bruce, San
Francisco, and Howard, Toronto, Canada.
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From Chris Saricks:
Jim Collinson was born to be a radio personality. He had a
quick wit and a gift for vocal impressions (what radio jocks
would call "puppets"). He was my best friend through grade
school and junior high, and remained a good friend into
college years. He was a groomsman at my wedding, following his
stint as a jock on American Forces Radio—think "Good Morning
Vietnam" in Europe. He also did mike time at WPGC in
Washington, D.C., and later worked for Polydor Records, where
he promoted groups such as the Atlanta Rhythm Section. Then it
was back to the airwaves at WNBC radio in New York, which at
the time was home to Don Imus and other notables. Then, like
many others, Jim got caught in the seismic shifts and
consolidations that hit the broadcast biz back in the
'80s. Suddenly, more and more air time was automated. Local
stations became subsidiaries of media conglomerates and began
to sing the same song simultaneously. It seemed unless one was
willing to take the shock jock route or go into a specialty
such as Christian Contemporary (and become successful at it),
one was marginalized in the field. On-air and studio
proficiency, like many blue-collar skills, became almost
superfluous except for those anointed as the "hottest" talent.
I will always remember Jim's sense of humor, his wild streak,
and his essential professionalism in the occupation he
loved. Sometimes life is grossly unfair in forcing us to
adjust our life and career paths away from their natural
destinies. |
