Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued a statement following news of the passing of Gary England:
“Cindy and I are saddened by the passing of Gary England—a U.S. Navy veteran and pioneering force in television meteorology. Born and raised in Seiling, Oklahoma, Gary earned international recognition for his groundbreaking innovations in weather technology, including implementing the world’s first commercial Doppler weather radar in 1981 and becoming the first person in history to use it to issue direct warnings to the public. His innovations in advanced warnings undoubtedly saved countless lives across the country. Generations of Oklahomans remember well his winsome, “Let’s check it out” and his celebration each week of “Friday night in the big town.” He was our early warning and our calm in the storm. Cindy and I are praying for his wife, Mary, of 63 years, and all who loved him as they grieve his loss.”
