Posted by Remembering Jim Edwards on January 14, 2013 at 03:23:39:
In Reply to: JAKE HARTFORD posted by R.I.P. on January 14, 2013 at 01:20:13:
Jon Seidel of the Chicago Sun-Times:
Jim Edwards, the man Chicago radio listeners have long known as Jake Hartford, has died, according to WLS-AM’s website.
His death “shocked and deeply saddened” the WLS family, according to the station, which posted a comment from Hartford’s family.
“We’re currently mourning the loss of Jake Hartford, a husband, father and friend,” it reads. “This is devastating news for everyone in our
family, and we greatly appreciate all of the kind words that have been offered to us during our struggle. It’s truly incredible how many people
he has affected positively through pursuing the work that he loved so dearly. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts as we do our best to
‘spring forward.’ ”
WLS described Hartford as a mainstay at the radio station since 1989, hosting weekends and filling in and most recently teaming up with Chicago
Tribune columnist John Kass on the station’s 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. show. He lost his job in a cost-cutting move at the station in 2008 and was
picked up by WCPT-AM.
Hartford referenced the episode in his online WLS biography, where he said he experienced a fall from grace “because he was too successful” but
came back home to WLS in the spring of 2010 for a “triumphant return.”