Former WTVQ meteorologist Frank Faulconer dies at 100

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — 10/19/23 6:07 p.m.

“Frank was one of the kindest, one of the most sincere and professional,” said Brian Wright, news and sports director of WKGG and colleague of Faulconer. “He was the weather man in Kentucky. He was the TV weatherman in central Kentucky. Everybody loved Frank.”

Dennis Dillon, or ‘Dead Air Dennis’, spoke about Faulconer’s show “Fearless Frank’s Five Day Forecast” where Faulconer would give the five day forecast for the week, which used to air on Dillon’s radio show.

And one would never guess how Faulconer determined the weather for tv before the use of radar.

“He said ‘I would buy the newspaper from St. Louis, I would buy the newspaper from Detroit, Cincinnati, Nashville and one or two other places,” said Dillon. “And he said I’ would triangulate the weather patterns’ that he read about in the news paper and that’s how he came up with Lexington’s first televised weather forecast.”

Rep. Andy Barr, Faulconer’s great nephew, spoke about his uncle and his passing.

“We’re sorry about Frank, but we also celebrate him going to heaven,” said Barr. “He’s I’m sure broadcasting from the pearly gates right now.”

Looking back on his childhood, Rep. Barr remembers how holidays with his family were a little different.

“My mom and dad would host the family for thanksgiving and I remember it being odd that my great uncle would have to leave right after thanksgiving, but he had a job to do. But we would watch him. We would watch him deliver the weather forecast after Thanksgiving dinner.”

Dillon recalls the moment frank Faulconer day was declared in Lexington.

“About 10 years ago we petitioned the mayor to proclaim Fearless Frank Faulconer day on his birthday and they said yes,” said Dillon. “And they created the plaque and I got to walk into his house carrying the plaque. I mean I was crying I had tears in my eyes.”

Wright said that if given the chance to speak with Faulconer one last time, he would say “Frank I love you man. I miss you and you were the best ever.”

Rep. Barr says that he wants his uncle to be remembered as a true patriot. He also asks this of those who knew his uncle.

“Try to go online and go on YouTube and look him up. Look at some of his great weather forecasts and try to remember some of his humorous radio forecasts as well. He will always be known as Fearless Frank.”

10/19/23 12:15 p.m.

Former WTVQ meteorologist Frank Faulconer has died, according to radio talk show host Jack Pattie. He was 100.

Faulconer was a longtime meteorologist at WTVQ until he pursued radio in the 1980s.

In 2016, Rep. Andy Barr honored Faulconer, his great uncle, on the House floor for his decades of service to the community.

“[Faulconer] later transferred to Channel 36 where his career soared as a TV and weather broadcaster until 1986,” Barr said. “There, he developed a reputation for having a melodious, baritone voice with a colorful and entertaining style and delivering the daily weather forecast.”

He retired in 2001.

On his 93rd birthday — June 16, 2016 — Frank Faulconer Day was declared in the city of Lexington.

Faulconer was also a World War II veteran and accomplished radio broadcaster.

He graduated from Lafayette High School in Lexington.