Remembering Ray: First full-time photographer at WJAC

Описание: By: Justin Platek

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. -- Ray Clites, a founding member of the WJAC-TV family, has passed away.

Clites died April 12th at Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown.

He lived a long, fulfilling life, and spent many years behind the camera at WJAC. He was the first full-time photographer employed at the station.

"Every shot had to count," said retired WJAC photographer Bob Hess, who worked under Clites for a decade. "He was very good at what he did. He was one of the best I've ever seen."

6 News anchor Marty Radovanic also worked with Clites.

"Ray was very dedicated to his craft. He was determined that you'd get it right," he said.

Radovanic said Clites had a sure-fire way to make sure he got what he needed.

"We were downtown waiting for a criminal suspect to come out of a building and get in a car. Ray goes over and he locks the doors to constables car. I'm thinking, 'what are you doing.' Well, when they brought the suspect out, Ray started shooting. While the constable was fumbling for his keys to get in the car, Ray kept shooting and we got all the video we needed."

Ray retired from WJAC after 31 years in the business. But he didn't set his camera down for too long. Photography remained a life-long hobby.

Ray also volunteered at Memorial Medical Center and Meals on Wheels.

According to his obituary, he is survived by his wife, four children and many grandchildren.

Ray Clites was 93 years old.