James Sefert

Jim R. Sefert, 86, husband of Gayle Marie Stuit Sefert, died Thursday, July 7, 2016. Born in Paris, OH on October 9, 1929, he was the son of the late Herman A. and Ada Ruth Beutler Sefert. Jim attended Bowling Green University from 1947 to 1950. From 1950 to 1954, he served in the U.S. Air Force. Jim began his broadcasting career in 1952 with Armed Forces Radio Service during the Korean War. Upon discharge, he attended Ohio State University and earned an advance degree in Broadcast Management. While at the University, he also worked for Crosley Broadcasting at WLWC in Columbus, OH. In 1960, he joined the national sales representative firm of Peters, Griffin, Woodward as manager of their Detroit office. Jim moved from New York to Chicago and then back to New York as President and CEO. The firm was sold in 1979 and Jim joined Cosmos Broadcastin, subsequently, The Liberty Corporation, in Columbia, SC as Senior Vice President for Development. In 1981, he managed WIS-TV and in 1982 Jim was named President and CEO and moved to Greenville. He remained as such until his retirement in January, 1995. During his tenure with Cosmos, Jim served on the Board of Governors of NBC Affiliates from 1982 to 1990, the last three years as Chairman. He also served the University of South Carolina on the Partnership Board of the College of Mass Communication and Journalism. He stayed active in retirement as a board member of Raycom Media, Inc., based in Montgomery, AL and T & S Brass and Bronze of Travelers Rest, SC. He was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Travelers Rest. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are daughters, Jamie Thomson of Hartland, WI and Joan Bomba of Lititz, PA; grandchildren, Amy Prange, Christian Schwind, and Tyler and, Megan Bomba; sisters, Kay Blandford of Louisville, OH and Ruthann Keisler of Fort Wayne, IN. He was preceded in death by a sister, Carol Miller.