Legendary Cincinnati Radio Talent Jim Scott Dies at 81

RADIO ONLINE | Saturday, June 29, 2024 | 3:50pm CT

Jim Scott

The city of Cincinnati is mourning the loss of Jim Scott, a radio host who graced the airwaves for nearly five decades. Scott passed away on Friday evening at the age of 81 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. His wife, Donna Scott, confirmed his passing in a Facebook post.

"Last night, our sweet Jim crossed over and is in the loving, welcoming embrace of his mom and dad, mine, his sister, and so many friends," wrote Donna Scott. "He has a new birthday. The grace with which he met and endured the indignities of ALS was astounding and inspiring. So very Jim. With his graciousness and thoughtfulness and gratitude, he continued to spark joy in everyone he met."

Scott's career spanned 47 years, with 31 of those spent at 700WLW, where he became a fixture in Cincinnati radio. He retired in 2015, leaving behind a legacy of engaging and memorable broadcasting.

Scott's battle with ALS became public last year when he shared his diagnosis in an emotional post. His journey with the disease was marked by both resilience and a continued dedication to bringing joy to others, even as his condition progressed. In an interview with WLWT's Sheree Paolello, Scott recounted the moment he learned of his diagnosis on April 1, 2021, after attending the Reds Opening Day Parade.

ALS, named after the famous Yankees player Lou Gehrig, took a toll on Scott, impacting his physical abilities and his iconic voice. Despite these challenges, Scott remained determined to make a positive impact. His son, Casey Boland, spoke about his father's unwavering spirit.

"ALS has been very tough in that the physical aspect, he would prefer to be going to the Salvation Army and ringing bells or going to Kroger for appearances, and it's taken that from him," said Boland. "But then the other part, I think what has frustrated him the most is the voice component. He's still sparking joy even with the people the short instances and time when he meets people and the little he can talk, he still finds a way to spark joy."

Scott's journey in radio began in upstate New York, where he was born in 1942. After graduating from Harper College (now Binghamton University), he worked at various radio stations across the country before finding a permanent home in Cincinnati. He became a dedicated lifelong fan of the Cincinnati Reds, and earlier this year, he was honored as the honorary grand marshal for the Reds Opening Day Parade.