An ArkLaTex Legend Passes Away

Source: KSLA KSLA News 12 has confirmed that legendary KSLA-TV weatherman and announcer Al Bolton has passed away. 

Bolton joined KSLA just one month after the station went on the air in 1954. "I just had a great desire to get into broadcasting, particularly television." He stayed for more than 36 years.  "I asked to do the weather, and they say, ‘You can have it," Bolton recalled during an interview marking KSLA's 50th anniversary in 2004.

Bolton may have had low-tech tools, but his forecasts were highly respected.  Besides being the station meteorologist for many years, Bolton also hosted Al's Corral, a western-themed children's show.

After his time at KSLA, Bolton went on to do weather for local radio station KRMD, wrote for a local seniors publication and served as emcee for the Shreveport Metropolitan Band for many years more. 

Son Ryan Bolton confirms his father took a fall recently and never quite recovered. He died Wednesday morning.

Visitation and funeral arrangements are pending. He was 88.

ALSO Bolton later hosted a weekly segment, "The ArkLaTex Gardener" for Shreveport station KTBS.