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Sunday, February 5, 2012
Media / Sports Channel 5 sports director Lee Douglas dies
Posted by Ralph Routon on Sun, Feb 5, 2012 at 3:25 PM
Lee Douglas, sports director of KOAA Channel 5 and a fixture in the Colorado Springs/Pueblo media scene for the past four decades, died Sunday at 57, according to the station’s website in this report posted online.
Douglas, a 1973 graduate of Pueblo Centennial High School, had been KOAA’s sports director since 2000, but his association with Channel 5 dated to 1979. He graduated from the University of Southern Colorado (now Colorado State University-Pueblo) with a communications degree in 1977.
Lee Douglas actually was his media name. His real name was Douglas Lee Cooley.
Rob Quirk, longtime Channel 5 news anchor, posted this on Facebook: “We were informed this morning from his closest friends that Lee passed away overnight. He was hospitalized on Saturday and suffered kidney failure."
Later, in another post, Quirk said: ”His laugh was infectious, his smile could light up a room. On this Super Bowl Sunday, we honor your hard work and dedication … RIP my friend."
Through the years, Douglas always was known for his enthusiastic dedication to local and Olympic sports. He kept up religiously with the area high schools as well as colleges in both Colorado Springs and Pueblo. Since 2004, he also had worked as color analyst for Air Force football radio broadcasts.
But some of his finest work came in profiling athletes from the Olympic Training Center or with ties to Colorado Springs leading into each Olympiad.
Douglas had another passion — music. Since finishing high school, he spent most of the past 40 years as a DJ on Pueblo stations, endearing himself to a large audience for playing oldies at night.
Among his many honors were back-to-back first places in the Independent’s Best Of Colorado Springs for best TV sportscaster in 2007 and 2008. He also was inducted in 2005 into the Greater Pueblo Sports Association Hall of Fame.
KOAA plans a tribute to Douglas during a special 9:30 p.m. newscast after NBC’s coverage of the Super Bowl.
Comments (13)
Showing 1-13 of 13
This is shocking! I didn't realize he was even sick. Just shows how precious and fragile life is.
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Posted by
Kevin Duren
on 02/05/2012 at 3:54 PM
It is with profound sadness that we note the passing of a Colorado broadcasting legend. Lee Douglas. Douglas Lee Cooley graduated from Pueblo’s Centennial High School in ‘73 and then from CSU Pueblo in ’77. Reversing his middle & first names his professional name became Lee Douglas. As a member of Pikes Peak Broadcasters, most of us knew him, many of us worked with him and all of us liked him. From his early days at Pueblo’s KDZA to his long tenure at KOAA, Lee always brought his “A” game. Two of his great passions were his love of music (especially ‘oldies’) and of course sports. His sudden loss after “feeling ill” on Saturday and suffering Kidney failure on Sunday came as shock to his family and many fans & friends. Lee was just 57.
Pikes Peak Broadcasters join together as we mourn your passing old friend.
Bob Bosche P.P.B.
Posted by
Bob Bosche Pikes Peak Broadcasters
on 02/05/2012 at 5:16 PM
He will truly be miss wow so hard to believe may God give his family peace and understanding during this sadness. RIP Mr.Lee Douglas
Posted by
I.R.
on 02/05/2012 at 6:45 PM
I have always felt I knew you, Lee...what a great guy. You were one of my favorites. Authentic, unpretentious, sincere, professional. You set a high bar that others should copy.
Posted by
R. Smith
on 02/05/2012 at 6:55 PM
Just broken hearted to hear the news... Lee Douglas was a wondeful professional and a wonderful individual. Truly, a great loss for our region.
Posted by
jabberly
on 02/05/2012 at 7:21 PM
This was so shocking to hear! He was our favorite and he will be missed. I find it ironic that my son just got out of the hospital Friday from kidney surgery to save *his* life - we wish that Lee would've known and been able to get treatment sooner....
RIP - we will never forget you!
Posted by
Freida Kirkland
on 02/05/2012 at 8:11 PM
I have been an 5/30 addict for decades I was so sad to hear the news of lee's passing all I could think about is who can possibly deliver the superbowl highlights as he does this is very sad southern Colorado is not a big place and he represented it like it was the world headquarters. I am very sorry for his family and friends and for all of us followers.
Posted by
Sad day
on 02/05/2012 at 8:57 PM
God Bless you Lee Douglas!!!! Our hearts are so heavy knowing our time with you is gone. Thank you for being such a blessing in the lives of so many. You were truly a gift. You will be dearly missed!!!!
Posted by
Marla Bliss Frederick
on 02/05/2012 at 10:00 PM
Ralph,
In honor of his memory, do you have any personal stories about Lee you would be willing to share with us?
Thanks for your consideration.
With respect for Lee and his family,
Brad Poulson
Posted by
Brad Poulson
on 02/06/2012 at 11:33 AM
I'll be writing a tribute to Lee for the End Zone column in this week's Independent.
Thanks,
Ralph Routon
Posted by
IndyEditor
on 02/06/2012 at 12:02 PM
I am so shocked about the sad news of Mr. Lee Douglas. I listened to his shows; Sock Hop Saturday Night he played Early Rock-N-Roll from the 1950's and 1960's, Doo Wop & Bubble Gum Music along with Nick Donovan on K.R.Y.T 107.9 and K.D.Z.A. 107.9. I enjoyed watching his sports even though i did go to bed late. KOAA 5 is one big family. My condolences to KOAA 5.
Robert Gonzales Starkville, Colorado
Posted by
Robert Gonzales
on 02/06/2012 at 2:19 PM
Been away from Pueblo for 18 years but have fond memories of Lee and his enthusiasm for the the oldies. Sorry to hear this news.
Posted by
Mike Landry
on 02/07/2012 at 6:15 PM
