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Frank L. Parker
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Frank was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, of Creek Indian heritage, and graduated from Oklahoma University in 1933 with a BA. Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Reserve, he was not allowed to serve during WWII due to a hearing loss and instead, worked for the Army Air Corps as a flight dispatcher at several Texas training bases.
His early radio years were spent as an announcer for stations in Ft. Worth and Harlingen, Texas. In 1947, he joined Clearwater’s WCLE for a year before moving to WTAN where he stayed for the next 25+ years. While with WTAN, he served as an announcer, program director, sales manager, and sportscaster. He became the voice of the world champion Clearwater Bombers softball team and, upon his retirement from broadcasting, was given an award by the American Softball Association for his many years of service. His daily fishing show, “Tips, Tides and Tackle,” was also a favorite of local sportsmen.
After retiring from WTAN in the 1970’s, Frank wrote radio and newspaper advertising for clients in Clearwater and, for a short time, also worked in real estate. He was 83 when he passed away in 1994.
Station History
1947 - 1975 Other Tampa Bay Area Stations (On Air Personality)
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