Mr. James Ray "Jim" Guidry

A pioneer in the developing technological news industry, Jim Guidry began his life's journey on 6 July 1942. Born and raised in Port Arthur, TX, the son of Joseph Guidry and Mary Patin, Jim inherited an avid interest from his father in following the news. During his teenage years he began to hang out at the local radio station KOLE and with the help of the staff gained invaluable experience that laid the foundation for his life's work. Working in the news business at KULF radio in Houston, TX from the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s, Jim's inherent honesty and fairness in reporting earned him the respect and friendship of people from community leaders to the local populace. Here he pioneered the development of modern broadcast techniques as cassette recorders. Soon he was known as the dean of Houston's City Hall News Corps. Moving to Galveston, TX in the late 1980s, Jim restarted his radio news reporting for KGBC radio where his expertise in the workings of government made him invaluable to the local community. He also became very involved in community volunteer work at this time - serving in leadership positions of many civic organizations. In 1996 two important events occurred for Jim. He married Lynda Weatherford and he recognized the impact of the emerging internet and its possibilities for the news industry. That year he launched his highly successful Guidry News Service (GuidryNews.com - The Online News Station) - a comprehensive, subscription-based news service carried solely on the internet. In 2009 Jim and Lynda moved Guidry News Service to Houston which offered a broader region of coverage and a larger market. Jim was a strong supporter of his Guidry family and proud of his roots. On 21 January 2016 Texas and the Guidry family lost an outstanding newsman, human being and friend when Jim succumbed to complications from a recent operation.