John Drury Passes Away

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 26, 2007 2:31PM

Last night's 10 o'clock news on Channel 7 led off with the news that former anchor and award-winning journalist John Drury died after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease). Mr. Drury was 80 years old.

The Peoria native was an institution on local airwaves for forty years. His resume included a stint at Channel 2 and two tours of duty at Channel 9, but it was Mr. Drury's time at Channel 7 for which he will be most associated. He returned to the ABC affiliate in 1984 to anchor the top-rated 10 o'clock newscast, and held the chair - and the top position in the ratings - until his retirement in 2002.

Shortly after Mr. Drury retired, he was diagnosed with ALS. A news segment that ran on ABC 7 last year showed the gravity of Mr. Drury's condition. Unable to speak and confined to a wheelchair or to his bed, his mind was still sharp.

Mr. Drury is survived by his wife Ann, four children and ten grandchildren.

Photo via ABC 7.