SYRACUSE — Longtime sportscaster Claude “Red” Parton has died, according to a report from ABC affiliate NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV). Parton’s career spanned more than six decades, starting with WSYR in 1939. He’d eventually work at a number of other radio stations before moving into television.
Parton was the first journalist ever inducted to the Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame — a fact we found in his biography as a member of the Syracuse Press Club Hall of Fame. The club says Parton served as its president in 1956 and again in 1963.
Parton’s broadcasting career was interrupted for almost four years, when he went into active military duty during World War II. After the war and a short stint with the University of Connecticut, Parton returned to Syracuse, where he once again worked at WOLF, WSYR-TV (which was channel 3 at the time) and then WNYS-TV (which was channel 9 at the time).
As of this writing, there are no details about any arrangements, but when that information becomes available, we’ll update this story as soon as possible.
RIP Red. You had a great career here and were a fine gentleman. You will be missed.
A true gentleman and legend. RIP Red.
Got to meet him when he did Ithaca College football during the 70s on WTKO Ithaca-my first fulltime radio gig. Later saw him from time to time in Syracuse, and finally at the WOLF reunion a few years back. He was terrific on and off air!