Doug LaMear (July 27, 1925 – January 7, 2019) found his interest in broadcasting after being interviewed himself, sharing his war experiences on the radio. He went on to become of the Northwest’s most memorable broadcasters during a 46-year career covering events and interviewing some of sports greatest athletes.
His career began in Albany, where he was offered a job in radio covering sports. It didn’t take long to get back to his Portland hometown, where he had attended Benson High School and the University of Portland.
LaMear was instantly successful in the Rose City, working at KPOJ and KGW, also calling high school football in Vancouver.
He was in the right place when KGW television went on the air and became a full-time sports anchor and reporter. Doug had grown up with a love of the outdoors and was a natural at golf, fishing and water sports. That meant regular outdoor reporting on Channel 8 and eventually “LaMear’s Outdoors”, a full program dedicated to hunting and fishing.
Golf was another favorite pursuit dating back to his days as a caddy at Waverly Country Club during his high school years. He continued there through college and had the privilege of caddying for Dai Rees during the 1947 Ryder Cup. He continued to leave his mark on the sport with the Doug LeMear One-Club Championship, which became a tradition at Eastmoreland Golf Course.
Doug LaMear retired in 1991 after 35 years at KGW – TV.