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Baylor -- David M. Baylor, a resident of Albuquerque, passed away November 5, 1999. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Baylor of Albuquerque; daughter, Louanne Norwood of New Orleans, LA; son, David Baylor and wife, Cindy of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren, Shirley Jane Benecki and husband, Walter of Seattle, WA, Rosemary Norwood of Baton Rouge, LA, Sarah and Kathryn Baylor of Colorado Springs, and Michelle Baylor and Christopher Baylor of Sarasota, FL. David Mannering Baylor was the second son born to Chester and Inez Baylor on July 18, 1910 in Plattsmouth, NE. When his father's thriving coal and ice business was destroyed by a disgruntled employee turned arsonist, the family moved to eastern Colorado and pioneered wheat farming in unfriendly cattle country in 1916. David's father died in 1918 during the flu epidemic of that year and after many crop failures, dust storms, droughts and other natural disasters, David and his mother moved to Akron, OH, where he entered and finished high school. Early in life he had demonstrated an abiding love of theatre and after some professional experience he was encouraged to try the big time, even though it was the middle of the depression. After a Broadway career which lasted three performances, he returned to Akron and entered the fledgling field of radio. He moved to Washington, PA, where a new radio station was being formed, the most important career move of his life, for one day a young lady named Shirley Poff came in for an audition. They would have celebrated their 65th anniversary on December 30, 1999. David and Shirley worked together in radio in Pittsburgh and Cleveland until their daughter Louanne was born in 1938. Dave become program director of WGAR in Cleveland and his work took him into military reporting before and after Pearl Harbor. In June of 1944 he was attached to the U.S. First Army as a combat correspondent in the E.T.O. for his own station as well as for CBS and the BBC, working with Edward R. Murrow, Ernie Pyle, Richard Hottellet, Bill Downs, Andy Rooney and others. In April of 1946 David and Shirley were blessed with their son David Wadsworth Baylor. After WWII he built and managed the first non-network radio station in Cleveland from 1947 to 1952, after which he ventured into television for five years, then joined one of the nations largest advertising agencies where he handled advertising for fifteen years, and from which he retired in 1975. He had maintained his interest in theatre throughout his business career and organized the Aurora (Ohio) Community Theatre, was on the acting and directing staff of the Colonial Players in Annapolis, MC, and the Albuquerque Little Theatre where he also served on the board of trustees. He is a member Radio Pioneers, La Mesa Presbyterian Church and Blue Lode #606 of AF & AM in Aurora, Ohio. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, November 10, 1999, 11:00 a.m. at La Mesa Presbyterian Church, 7401 Copper Ave. NE, with Rev. Trey Hammond officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the La Mesa Presbyterian Building Fund, 7401 Copper Ave. NE, 87108 or to the charity of your choice. Hillcrest Funeral Home 225 San Mateo Blvd. NE 265-5959
        Published on: Mon November 08, 1999