'Just a great man': Community remembers Jim Scott, longtime host of Cincinnati radio

Cincinnati's morning voice Jim Scott touched many lives during his time on earth.

For 46 years, he was a familiar voice on Cincinnati’s airwaves as the morning host for WLW , WSAI-AM and others. Visitors lined the hallways in appreciation after he finished his final show at 700 WLW-AM in 2015.

The legendary host died Friday of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 81.

Related: Remembering Cincinnati's morning voice, Jim Scott

In the wake of his death, those who knew him shared what made him such a special host − and the legacy he leaves behind.

A great host: the 'quintessential' morning guy

Jim Scott was the "quintessential" morning guy, according to 700 WLW host Bill Cunningham , who worked with Scott at 700 WLW for decades.

In the 1980s, executives at 700 WLW purchased 94.1 FM, where Scott worked at the time, just so he would join their station.

"I don't know how many millions they paid," Cunningham said. "Just for one guy."

But it paid off, he adds.

"He was a welcoming, friendly, warm voice Cincinnati had," Cunningham said. "He was able to do topics in such a way that angered nobody and brought everyone into the tent."

Those who knew him talked about his ability to seemingly make an intimate, individualized connection with listeners. "He had a way of connecting with people that's unlike anything I've ever seen," said Mo Egger, an ESPN 1530 radio host .

"If there's a heaven above, and I certainly believe there is," Cunningham said, "they have one heck of a morning man doing that work."

'Just a great man'

Egger worked with Scott at WLW from the late '90s to the early 2010s.

Scott was "just a good man," Egger said. "People would ask me all the time 'Is he really that nice?' And I would say, 'Yeah. He really is,'" Egger said with a laugh.

When he was in his 20s, Egger was the producer for Scott's morning show. He described Scott as a mentor, friend, advocate and sounding board. Scott took a genuine interest in Egger's career, working to help Egger improve and advocating for him.

"That doesn't happen," Egger said. "That doesn't happen, I'm sure, in most businesses, but that doesn't happen in our business."

His legacy: 'makes you want to be a better person'

Scott would act like a "politician," around Cincinnati, "shaking hands and kissing babies," 700 WLW host Scott Sloan said. But he adds it was completely genuine; "He really liked people."

Those who knew him described how Scott would go just about anywhere and introduce himself to people, asking them to listen to his show. He would do the same for others, like Egger, and encourage people to listen to him.

He was also actively involved in the community, his peers said. He was the "go-to" emcee for events and fundraisers. His willingness to help others stemmed from the struggles he experienced when he was a young kid with polio, Cunningham explained.

"His experience with polio led him to believe that it was always better to reach and pull somebody up than push somebody down," Cunningham said. "And that was Jim Scott."

"I think Jim will be remembered for caring about the human condition," said Sloan. "I think his legacy is that he makes you want to be a better person."

Community responds

Many took to social media over the weekend to share their thoughts on Scott's legacy and the impact he made on the Cincinnati region.

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval wrote a commemoration to Scott on X , formerly Twitter. He said Scott brought “daily joy, comfort and pride to generations of Cincinnatians.”

“He wasn’t just the voice on the radio. He was the kind neighbor out in our communities, constantly making a positive impact," Pureval said.

Ohio GOP Chairman Alex Triantafilou said on X that every kid growing up in the Greater Cincinnati area will not soon forget his voice, calling him a “Cincinnati treasure.”

Cincy Shirts remembered when Scott for sat in on the retail store’s podcast in 2019.

“Let’s open up a bag of Grippos in his honor,” the retail store's X post said , referencing Scott’s penchant for the local chip brand.

The Cincinnati Reds dedicated a post to Scott on Saturday, saying he was an inspiration who will not be forgotten.

“His love for the people of this city was unparalleled, and his generous support of communities throughout Reds Country will not be forgotten,” the post reads.

Fellow members of the local media also shared their condolences for the radio legend. WLWT anchor Sheree Paolello shared a memory of Scott coming on air to discuss his diagnosis with ALS.

WCPO consumer reporter John Matarese said he had listened to Scott on 700 WLW for 20 years, and Scott was as “nice a person as you could ever meet.”

The Salvation Army in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky remembered Scott's service with the organization as an honorary Kettle Campaign chair for more than 10 years. As an active volunteer with Salvation Army, "he was our biggest champion to inspire our community to volunteer with us and do the most good," a Facebook post reads.

"We will miss him and always remember him with our love and appreciation, especially when the bells are ringing in Cincinnati in the months and years to come."

The incomparable Jim Scott honored The Salvation Army with his time, talent, and dedication to serve others. As our...

Posted by The Salvation Army in Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky on Saturday, June 29, 2024

Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen told The Enquirer that Scott's life was "a lesson in perseverance," commending his ability to battle through hardships and his desire to serve and help others.

"It was admirable but also unsurprising to all who knew him when he met his diagnosis with courage and a promise to fight for those impacted by ALS," McMullen said. "In life and in death, Jim was an inspiration. We offer Jim’s family and all who knew and loved him our most sincere condolences.”

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 'Just a great man': Community remembers Jim Scott, longtime host of Cincinnati radio