Video directed and written by Chris Wooley. Director of photography: Dick Williams. Produced by the Historical League. Narrated by Pat McMahon. Made possible by a financial grant from Dr. Edward B. Diethrich.
Tom Chauncey is recognized as one of Arizona’s broadcasting pioneers, and he is a nationally known figure in the field of communications.
In 1926, at the age of thirteen, Tom Chauncey hopped a freight train and left his birthplace, Houston, Texas. Arriving in Mesa, his first job was that of pageboy at the Adams Hotel in Phoenix, where he met Senator Carl Hayden. Senator Hayden encouraged him to either pursue an education or establish a trade. Taking Hayden’s advice, Tom Chauncey began an apprenticeship with a Phoenix jeweler, and in 1940, launched Tom Chauncey Jewelers.
After many years as an entrepreneur, the call of broadcasting captured Tom Chauncey’s focus and attention. With virtually no experience – but a love of the news, truth, and fairness – he co-ventured the purchase of a radio station that later became KOOL Radio-Television, Inc. As owner of this station, he greatly influenced the direction of local and national television for more than thirty years. He was responsible for introducing the first female anchor to Arizona television, and he played a major role in airing the Kennedy-Nixon presidential debates. Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Telecommunication owes its name to Mr. Chauncey’s longtime association with Walter Cronkite.
Tom Chauncey has also established an international reputation for Hereford cattle ranching and Arabian horse breeding, following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, who raised horses for the White House. Mr. Chauncey presently owns the Arabian stallion Kharben, one of only two Triple Crown winners.
In 1983, Tom Chauncey received an Honorary Ph.D. from ASU, despite the fact that he had only received an eighth grade education. A member and officer of many civic causes, he was a founding member of the Neurological Sciences Foundation and Barrow Neurological Institute, the President of the Community Council in Phoenix, and the chairman of numerous fund-raising events. Among the multitude of awards and honors bestowed upon Mr. Chauncey was the Distinguished Service Citation of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. However, one of his most memorable honors was being selected by President Dwight Eisenhower as his personal representative at the ceremony recognizing Nigerian independence.
Tom Chauncey and his late wife, Kathryn Geare, were the parents of three daughters, Colleen, Sharon, and Karyn, and a son, Tom Chauncey II.
Historymaker Tom Chauncey biography published in 1995
Historymakers is a registered trademark of the Historical League, Inc.