Ian Clark (1911-1999)

Ian Clark
Ian Clark

Year Born: 1911

Year Died: 1999

Year of Induction: 1999

Pioneer – Member of CAB Hall of Fame

Clark, Ian (1911-1999)

Ian Clark was an icon in Canadian Broadcasting.

He started his career at CKMO Vancouver moving to CKFC Vancouver and again in 1940 as an announcer at CFJC, Kamloops, B.C. He moved up to station manager, and in due course, became the owner.

In 1957, along with partner Jean Ross, Ian was a pioneer in the development of Canadian television in founding CFCR-TV (later changed to CFJC-TV), one of North America’s first small-market TV operations. He then added seven re-broadcasting stations to carry the Kamloops signal throughout the Thompson-Cariboo area.

In 1963, Ian Clark established Kamloops’ first FM station, CFFM-FM (later becoming CIFM-FM), and as he had done with TV, progressively extended its reach with eight re-broadcasters to carry its programming to appreciative listeners in the surrounding area.

All the while, Ian Clark was active in the community of Kamloops, which he loved. At various times he was (among others) a Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Alderman, Manager of the Kamloops Airport, charter member of the Lions Club, Co-chair of the City Amalgamation Committee, operated the Public Weather Bureau, and for 34 years was Chairman of the Light-Up-For-Christmas Contest.

He was a former President of the Shrine Club, past Master of the Kamloops Masonic Lodge No. 10 A.F. and A.M., member of the Vernon Scottish Right and Revelstoke York Right Freemasons.

Following his retirement, Ian Clark wrote a book on some of his memories, entitled “Canada, Broadcasting and Me”. He died August 5, 1999.

Ian Clark was inducted into the CAB Broadcast Hall of Fame in 1999.

Written by J. Lyman Potts – October, 1999