BOZO THE CLOWN: Ward McIntyre

Walter McIntyre, city's `Bozo,' dies
Career on air spanned 50 years
Sunday, July 22, 2007
VAL WALTON
News staff writer


Walter "Ward" Wharton McIntyre Jr., a longtime broadcaster who entertained many children in the 1960s as "Bozo the Clown," died Friday. He was 77.

McIntyre's nearly 50-year broadcasting career began while he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, when he developed and announced a 30-minute radio show at Fort Dix, N.J.

McIntyre's career was mostly in radio. He worked as a DJ on WSGN and WEZB. He became the lovable, red-haired clown, Bozo, on WBRC-TV in August 1962. He performed until 1968.

McIntyre's varied radio career included writing, producing, and doing voice-overs and advertising spots. He retired from broadcasting in the 1990s from WBHM.

John Dale McIntyre, one of McIntyre's sons, said his father enjoyed drama throughout his life. Although Bozo seems to be McIntyre's legacy, his son said he did so much more.

Reading scripture each Sunday during contemporary service at his church, Canterbury United Methodist, was a joy, the younger McIntyre said.

McIntyre's last reading was Sunday, July 15.

"He sounded great," John Dale McIntyre said. "It was amazing. It was like he was back in the recording studio."

At the church, McIntyre, a Mountain Brook resident, was an active member, serving on the church council and the drama, advertising and contemporary committees.

A Birmingham native, McIntyre attended Ramsay High School and graduated in 1953 from Birmingham-Southern College.

In April 1998, McIntyre and his late wife, Anne, attended the Ramsay class of 1948 reunion.

McIntyre is survived by his sons, Robert Gordon McIntyre and John Dale McIntyre; and a daughter, Catherine M. Lowe. He also doted on his granddaughters.

A memorial service is Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Canterbury United Methodist Church.

_________________________________________________________

For a video remembrance from WBRC-TV in Birmingham, AL, featuring clips of Ward as Bozo, please click the title of this post.