CLASS OF 2013
Lloyd Thomas began his broadcasting career in High school at WOPI radio in Bristol, Virginia. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he moved to Hastings, Nebraska as a news announcer for KHAS Radio in 1946. He became Program Director in 1950 and Assistant Manager in 1955. He left broadcasting for a position in sales at a trucking firm for about ten years but returned in 1966 helping to establish KICS radio in Hastings where he served as Program Director.
Thomas moved to KHAS-TV in 1968 as a newscaster and weather reporter. He established himself as the morning and midday anchor while holding the position of Farm Director. Besides serving the farm community, Thomas was on the Hastings City Council. In the 1972 election, he accepted off-air duties during the course of the campaign after his opponent sought equal air time following one of Lloyd’s newscasts.
After 23 years, Lloyd retired from KHAS-TV in 1992, but he continued airing his Big Band Show on Sunday evenings on KHAS radio which he began in the 1970s.
2008 he was given the lifetime achievement award from Nebraska’s Associated Press.
Lloyd Thomas died at the age of 84 in 2009.
