Jack Shelley [John D. Shelley] 1912-2010

The death of Jack Shelley caused many, especially Iowans, to move back in history. Older generations remember his radio voice reporting the news in a rich and distinctive manner. He was trusted to give the news fairly and accurately.

Shelley brought news to Iowa, first by radio and then TV, through WHO in Des Moines, Iowa. His reports came directly from hometowns, from battlefields during WWII and atomic test sites. He continually scoped out stories of interest.

Shelley's recognition went national when he co-founded the Radio TV News Directors Association. He served as president of this association.

The director of Iowa State University's Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, Michael Bugeja, lists Shelley as the fourth greatest broadcaster of the 20th century. He places Mr. Shelley behind Ernie Pyle, Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite. He says Shelley's integrity and trust were second to none. Opinions were kept from his newscasts and he was always fair and honest. Listeners felt he was talking directly to them and they believed what he said. They especially listened for his hometown humor.

Jack Shelley moved from broadcasting to being a professor of journalism at Iowa State University from 1965 to 1982. School policy forced him to retire at age 70. His students remember him as demanding, yet delightful. Shelley was energetic, enthusiastic and positive when interacting with his students.

Boone, Iowa was the birth place of Shelley. He was the nephew of Kate Shelley, a woman famous in Iowa history books by her heroic action of single handedly warning a train of a fallen bridge after a severe storm. Her brave action saved the train and those aboard.

Shelley's career began in Clinton, Iowa as a reporter for the Herald in 1935. Later that year he began a three decade stay at WHO radio. When WHO TV went on the air in the l950s, Shelley became news director of both radio and TV operations.

He worked as a war correspondent in 1944. He taped interviews with many Americans, especially Iowans, and was at the Battle of the Bulge that Christmas. Many Americans were killed, wounded or captured during this battle and he felt it was his job as a reporter to tell the story of the battle to the folks at home. Parents and families at home were grateful for his truthful and respectful reporting.

Shelley scored the first interview with the B-29 crews that dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In the 50s, Shelley also covered the atom bomb tests that the United States held in the Nevada desert.

Shelley was the longtime executive secretary of the Iowa Broadcasters Association. He continued to receive professional honors throughout his lifetime. The association named its annual service to broadcast and journalism award after Jack Shelley. For that reason and many others, his name will continue to live on.

Des Moines Register
Tom Beell - ISU journalism professor
Michael Bugeja - ISU's Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication
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