Jerry "Jaybird" Drennan
Jerry W. "Jaybird" Drennan, 78, went home to be with the Lord December 10, 2006. Born in McCullay, Texas, Jay lived in the Akron area most of his life. He was a radio personality affiliated with WSLR Radio Station for most of his career. Preceded in death by his parents, James and Martha Drennan; brother, Frank; first wife, Bee; and sons, Tim and Mark; Jay is survived by his wife of nearly 31 years, Joyce F.; son, Mike (Bobbie) Drennan of Colorado Springs, Colorado; daughter, Brynette (Brad) Birmingham of Shalersville, Ohio; stepsons, John of Hillman, Michigan, Scott of Houston, Texas, and Larry (Karen) Baldwin of Suffield, Ohio; grandchildren, Kimberly and Christopher Drennan of Colorado Springs, Larry Jr. of Randolph, and Veronica Nicely of Rootstown; brothers, Glen (Cora) Drennan, and Lee (Sue) Drennan, both of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas; sister, Lenora Hardy of Los Angeles, California. Celebration of Life Service, Friday, 7 p.m., at the Akron Civic Theatre, 182 South Main Street, Akron, with Rev. James F. Shuman, Rev. O. Homer Burket, and Pastor Lee Drennan officiating. A private burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Friends may call at Riverwood Community Chapel, 1407 Fairchild Avenue, Kent, Ohio 44240, Thursday, from 1 to 8 p.m. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Tree of Lights Festival in care of The Salvation Army, 190 South Maple Street, Akron, Ohio 44302. (Hopkins Lawver, Akron). www.hopkinslawver.com
From about.com
This sad word in from wkyc.com: "'Jaybird' Drennan, perhaps the most famous radio voice in Akron history, has died at the age of 78. Drennan collapsed outside a mall last week and slipped into a coma. But even in death, the memory of his booming baritone voice lives on. 'He was the guy that people think about when they think of Akron radio,' says former boss Nick Anthony, now with Rubber City Radio. 'It's going to be much harder to have another person like that just because of the nature of radio and how things have changed....You could very safely call it the end of an era in broadcast radio,' adds Anthony. From akronnewsnow.com: "Akron lays to rest a giant of a man, with a voice and spirit to match the booming voice that generations came to know simply as 'Jaybird'."
This sad word in from wkyc.com: "'Jaybird' Drennan, perhaps the most famous radio voice in Akron history, has died at the age of 78. Drennan collapsed outside a mall last week and slipped into a coma. But even in death, the memory of his booming baritone voice lives on. 'He was the guy that people think about when they think of Akron radio,' says former boss Nick Anthony, now with Rubber City Radio. 'It's going to be much harder to have another person like that just because of the nature of radio and how things have changed....You could very safely call it the end of an era in broadcast radio,' adds Anthony. From akronnewsnow.com: "Akron lays to rest a giant of a man, with a voice and spirit to match the booming voice that generations came to know simply as 'Jaybird'."
