D.C. Radio Veteran Andy Parks Dies

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Across the National Capital Region, he became well-known for his 25 years at WMAL-AM 630, originally a News/Talk station owned by ABC that eventually found its way into the Cumulus Media family. He was at WMAL from 1985 until April 2010,  when he concluded his tenure in mornings, at the time as a co-host with former Senator and The Love Boat star Fred Grandy.


He would resurface in August 2011 with a show based at The Washington Times airing on WTNT-AM in Washington, moving to WWRC-AM 1260 in June 2013.

Now, many across the broadcasting world are remembering Andy Parks, who died Sunday at age 68.

Parks graduated from Randallstown Senior High School in 1971, and would go on to graduate from The Broadcasting Institute of Maryland.

He grew up working in the family business, Tangier Crab House, in Randallstown, and assisted in opening a second restaurant in Eldersburg before launching a successful four-decade career in broadcasting. This started as an airborne traffic reporter, “competing” against Walt Starling in an era when such Beltway updates mattered.

Parks earned numerous industry awards throughout his career and twice was a finalist for the National Association of Broadcasters’ Marconi award for Major Market Personality of the Year in both 2007 and 2008. Golf was a favorite pastime. “Laughter accompanied his quick wit and kind heart wherever he went, and he found immeasurable joy in his children and grandchildren,” his obituary reads.

The family will receive visitors on March 28 from 1-3pm and 5-7pm Burrier-Queen Funeral Home & Crematory, located at 1212 West Old Liberty Road in Sykesville, Md. Family and friends are invited to gather to remember Andy for a short service at 7pm

Interment at Lake View Memorial Park will be private.


In lieu of flowers or cards, those desiring may make contributions to Mount Airy Christian Academy at 16700 Old Frederick Rd. Mount Airy, MD 21771. www.macamd.org Arrangements made by: Burrier-Queen Funeral Home & Crematory, PA, online condolences to www.burrier-queen.com.