Sudbury receives citation from Arkansas House

BLYTHEVILLE— Thursday night was an end of an era as community members and long time employees, as well as past employees, stopped by the Mississippi County Regional Chamber of Commerce in Blytheville to celebrate nearly 90 years of the Sudbury Services, Inc. owning of the KLCN radio station, and the retiring of Harold Sudbury, Jr.

Sudbury stated, “It just came the opportunity for me to terminate my time in the radio business. I’m retiring from radio, but I’m looking forward to some exciting things that are going to happen soon.”

Sudbury’s father, Harold Sr., bought the station in 1940 which was on 910kHz AM and in 1943 Harold Sr. added the FM Station.

After serving the United States in the Navy, Sudbury Jr. came home to Blytheville and started working in the family business in August of 1970. After Harold Sr.’s passing in 1985, Harold Jr. inherited the radio station and as many would say, “the rest is history”.

“I’ve had the best crew. Since 1970, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the finest people you’ll ever meet,” explained Sudbury.

The Sudbury Broadcasting group stations have been broadcast affiliates of the Arkansas Razorbacks, St. Louis Cardinals, Mississippi County Community College Suns, Gosnell Pirates and Blytheville Chickasaws.

Sudbury said he’s proud of the partnership of the radio station has had along side the ESA sorority in raising funds for St. Jude.

He recalled the first ever Radiothon raised roughly $6,000 and this past year raised over $300,000; with nearly $4,000,000 raised in the last 15-years alone.

The Mississippi County Juneteenth Committee presented Sudbury with a certificate making him an Honorary Lifetime Judge of the Sweet Potato Pie Contest.

State Representative Joey Carr presented a citation from the Arkansas House of Representatives to Harold Jr.

“It was a privilege and an honor for me to present Mr. Sudbury with a citation from the Arkansas House of Representatives,” explained Carr. “Sudbury Inc. has been serving Northeast Arkansas; Southeast Missouri; and Northwest Tennessee for decades by broadcasting news, weather, community events, public service announcements, sporting events and music entertainment. I appreciate Mr. Mike Lester for organizing this event to celebrate the accomplishment of Sudbury Inc.”

Senator Dave Wallace stated, “This family has been one of the strong points of Blytheville, Arkansas for many, many decades. What they have done it will be hard for others to surpass. I’m just honor to be here and be able to stand next to you.”

“The citation from the House of Representatives in the state of Arkansas it’s very special. I’m very appreciative of Representative Carr and his efforts of making this citation possible,” added Sudbury. “Senator Wallace was here. I’m very appreciative of Senator Wallace being here. I’ve worked with him since he’s been in the Senate. I admire him for his service to the United States and the United States Army and to the state of Arkansas, being in the Arkansas Senate. I’m very appreciative of both of them.”

Sudbury continued, “I’m very appreciative of all the people that came here tonight to show their support for what we’ve done the last 83 years. It’s very heartwarming to me.”