Dave Ward Leaving KTRK in December After 50 Years

By Kevin Eck 

Dave Ward says he’s leaving KTRK after he hits the half a century mark at the Houston ABC-owned station.

“I am very proud of my work here at Channel 13 over the past 50 years,” said Ward. “I will always cherish having witnessed firsthand the transformation of this great city. I leave Channel 13 with a lifetime’s worth of memories, having reported on some of Houston’s greatest moments of triumph and tragedy, including the Moon landing in 1969, the first and last space shuttle launches and many in between, and the recovery efforts following Hurricane Ike in 2008. I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to my loyal viewers, my friends, without whom my extensive career would not have been possible. My 50 year tenure at Channel 13 represents the hallmark of my career, and I look forward to the next chapter.”

Ward will reach 50 years at KTRK in November.

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“Despite our attempts to find an ongoing role, Dave told us it is his preference to move on,” said Henry Florsheim, president and GM of KTRK. “Dave has helped lead our station to the top, and provided a continuity and consistency to our newscasts. It is fitting that he remains a part of Houston’s most-watched 6:00 p.m. team. He will leave us at a time when we are well positioned to maintain our market leadership and compete in this very rapidly changing news environment.”

Ward started working at KTRK as an on-the-street reporter and photographer in 1966. Two years later, he began anchoring the 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts and only stopped anchoring at 10 in 2014.

He is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for being the longest running local TV news anchor at the same station in the same market.

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