Tulsa -
Readers of the Tulsa World were treated to a special tribute to former KTUL Meteorologist Don Woods when they opened Thursday's paper.
Editorial cartoonist Bruce Plante used his space to honor Woods, who died Tuesday night after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
The cartoon depicts Gusty, Woods' own cartoon character made famous during his 40-plus years at KTUL, weeping at Woods' graveside with the words "100% chance of precipitation".
Woods was KTUL's first meteorologist, joining the staff when the station went on air in 1954. To get the job, Woods was asked to draw a cartoon.
"I had to go out and find an artist friend to teach me to draw cartoons," Woods said in an interview shortly before his death. "Went back, drew a cartoon for the manager and he hired me."
Gusty is now the state's official cartoon, is in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC and the Cartoonist Hall of Fame in Pauls Valley.
While Gusty became famous, it was Don Woods who remained a humble piece of making KTUL the number one news station in Tulsa during the 60s, 70s and 80s. He retired in 1989 and would later teach at Tulsa Community College.
In addition to drawing Gusty, Don is also well-known for a little orange booklet called, "Do You Know How To Have A Happy Forever?" It features Gusty's message that God loves you.
Over the years, Don passed out thousands of the books around the world and countless others have downloaded or ordered the book from his website.
Don's family is planning a private graveside service and ask that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Don Woods' name to Dove Ministry, 2833 West Main, Jenks, OK, 74037.
