Fri, Nov 20 2009
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Don, Gusty blow away competition in viewers’ esteem By Betty Smith, Press Staff WriterHe also taught meteorology at Tulsa Junior College, ending that career about a year ago. Today he and his wife are enjoying retirement in Tulsa, traveling to area lakes in their recreational vehicle.
“It’s been great being his son. He’s been a good father for his kids,” Stuart Woods said. At times, though, their dad’s popularity could be a little vexing for Stuart and his two sisters. “Probably the most inconvenient part was when we would go out to eat. Waitresses and customers would crowd around the tables, wanting a Gusty,” he said. The affable Woods obliged his fans, turning out sketches on a napkin or menu. Stuart said the fans weren’t rude or anything. “Of course, it doesn’t bother me now. Fewer people come up and ask for autographs,” he said. What accounted for Don’s popularity? His son thinks it was because the average viewer could relate to him. “He was always himself,” Stuart said. “He was never trying to project an image that was better than himself. People just felt like they could relate to him. He was always very approachable.” People who think of Don only as a weatherman may not be aware of another side of his work. “My dad used to go around to little churches and give what he called the ‘Gusty talks,’” Stuart said. Gusty was used to illustrate four spiritual laws. Don gave parishioners the big Gusty drawings, and did additional small ones, as he illustrated spiritual points. Gusty also appears in religious tracts. And the character apparently translates well. “There are Gusty tracts out in Chinese and various languages now,” Stuart said. Stuart got to meet many of the KTUL personalities when working as a cameraman for a year, and enjoyed interacting with them. Most people obtained their Gusty cartoons by writing to Channel 8. 
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