OWENSBORO, Ky. — Danny “Lee” Denney, 77, of Owensboro, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, under the care of Hospice of Western Kentucky. He was born Oct. 5, 1940, in Ohio County to the late Robert “Ed” Denney and Leda L. Strange Denney.
Lee was a graduate of Centertown High School and Western Kentucky University with a degree in general studies. Lee was a broadcast journalist and news director who worked for WBKR.
His career in news broadcasting spanned 45 years, including 21 years with WOMI-AM and WBKR-FM. He was a television news anchor for WFIE-TV and WTVW-TV in Evansville, Indiana, WHAS-TV in Louisville, Kentucky as well as stations in Jacksonville, Florida, and Dayton, Ohio, plus held the duties of Executive News Producer for a TV station in San Diego, California.
In 2005, Lee was named to the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame for his broadcast excellence and integrity.
Lee served as the only chairman of the Colonel Charles Shelton Memorial. He was on the H. L. Neblett Center board and played a key role in securing a new community center. Lee was also active for a number of years in WBKR/WOM Telephone Pioneers Christmas Wish program.
He enjoyed playing duplicate bridge, and was an avid reader. Also, he was a gourmet cook. He was an enthusiastic fan of the Universities of Kentucky and Western Kentucky basketball and football programs, as well as New York Yankees.
As said by one of his fellow broadcaster’s, Chadwick Benefield, “He was smart and dedicated. He lived, breathed local news. On air he exuded Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite-inspired confidence and authority. He was the epitome of trustworthiness that people expect from broadcast news professionals. When the mic was off however, he was wickedly acerbic and funny. As sharp as his mind was, his tongue could be equally as sharp.”
Along with his parents, Lee was preceded in death by his sisters Anna Maude Chancellor and Dora Nell Kimmel.
Lee is survived by his daughter, Leigh Ann Denney, of Fort Branch, Indiana; a grandson, Adam Denney, of Evansville; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial gathering will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at Haley McGinnis Funeral home & Crematory with a memorial tribute to follow at 3 p.m. Lee’s family would like the loved ones and friends of Lee to come and share their stories and memories
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Hospice of Western Kentucky; 3419 Wathens Crossing; Owensboro, Kentucky 42301 (envelopes will be available at the funeral home), or a charity of your choice.
Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory is both honored and privileged to be entrusted with the care of Mr. Denney.
Share your messages of condolence with the family of Danny Lee Denney at www.haleymcginnis.com.