Broadcasters mourn loss of Boles

posted on 2.20.2018

Broadcast friends and family are mourning the loss of KLTV-TV / KTRE-TV longtime News Director Kenny Boles. 

Boles passed away in Tyler on February 15.  He was 63. 

Kenny started his professional work at KTRE-TV Lufkin, his hometown, working in the studio, progressing to weathercaster and sports director. 

From there, he moved to Houston where he worked as the overnight police reporter at KPRC-TV, covering the story of the Houston mass murderer that killed 23 in a sex-torture ring. He then advanced to producer and news anchor at KPRC and then to executive producer at KDFW-TV Dallas and eventually back to KPRC as managing editor.

Over the next 10 years, Boles worked at WLS-TV and WBBM-TV in Chicago and as a producer for ABC News. He earned the position of managing editor at KNBC-TV Los Angeles covering high profile stories including the Rodney King beating and Los Angeles riots, the Northridge earthquake, the O. J. Simpson trial and Michael Jackson trial.

Boles moved back to East Texas in 1996 to be close to his roots and became News Director of KLTV where he led the station until his passing. 

He led the teams at KLTV and KTRE to market dominance and launched the careers of numerous professionals in the television industry.  His philosophy was to always win the big story and that mission permeated the news efforts at the stations. 

He made the priority of becoming a digital first newsroom a reality and his impact will be felt for years to come.  Boles was recognized, as well, with several Emmy awards through his career and multiple Best Newscast Awards from the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters.  He was inducted in the Silver Circle of The Lone Star EMMY® Chapter in 2016.

Boles leaves a wife, Cynthia, and two sons, Travis and Tyler, his mother, two sisters and numerous family members.

To remember Boles, the family is encouraging gifts to one of his and Cynthia’s passions – the Humane Society of Smith County - where donations can be made at www.petsfurpeople.org.

Remembering KLTV, KTRE News Director Kenny Boles (kltv.com)

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