Lonny Demaree was a Gem who Loved Covering UK Sports

Lonny Demaree loved his family but always had a smile for anyone he met.

Sometimes when you are writing you know no matter how the words come out the story will not be as good as it should be.

Today is one of those days as I write about the passing of my 83-year-old friend Lonny Demaree, a fixture in the University of Kentucky media for over 40 years and maybe the most die-hard football media member I’ve ever known.

Many of you know Lonny or know his voice from his radio work or hearing him ask questions at press conferences. Like me, he sometimes was technology-challenged and odds are if you ever heard a cell phone go off during a UK press conference it belonged to Lonny. But that was okay because coaches/players knew it was Lonny.

I have no idea how many times I’ve seen and talked with him on UK football and basketball road trips. I have no many times we were at the same high school football game because we liked watching top teams and star players.

Lonny was a standout high school athlete in Lexington. He was a veteran and also an IBM retiree.

We both worked for Kentucky Sports Report when that website launched. Believe it or not, there was a time that current ESPN star personality Laura Rutledge interviewed us about UK football when she was starting her career with Scout.com. We also both wrote for The Cats’ Pause. Lonny also wrote for the Community Voice and did a radio show with Larry Glover on WVLK.

His passing brought a huge response both in-state media and national personalities.

“It certainly won’t be the same around the UK football program without my friend Lonny. Funeral arrangements to be announced later. Prayers to his wife Maggie and daughter Margo,” former Cats’ Pause publisher Oscar Combs posted on X Wednesday night.

Combs also correctly noted he was a “deeply religious person” and he lived his faith daily.

“Lonny followed the Cats on most road trips during his 35-year sports writing career and enjoyed great personal relationships with UK coaches from Fran Curci to Mark Stoops which is unique for most writers and coaches because of the nature of their jobs,” Combs posted.

Former Kentucky sports information director Brooks Downing remembered Lonny as a “fixture” at UK sports and noted the news “broke his heart” like it did for many others as well.

“Always showed up with a smile, courteous and gracious, was just thankful to have the opportunity to cover the Cats. And he LOVED the pigskin almost as much as he loved the Lord. May Lonny rest in peace,” Downing posted.

National sports columnist Pat Forde knew Demaree from his time with the Louisville Courier-Journal.

“So sadden to hear the new that well known sports writer Lonny Demaree has passed,” Forde posted.

ESPN sports anchor Michael Eaves, a Kentucky native, also was touched by the “sad news” about Lonny.

“Lonny was a face I was always happy to see when I was coming up in local TV, and a face I would always hope to see anytime I returned to Lexington. RIP, my man!” Eaves posted.

Lexington radio personality Alan Cuter had a lot of laughs and exchanges with Lonny during his time as WLEX-TV sports director.

“RIP to the Mayor of UK football. I remember him bragging about playing football in Germany shortly after I met him in the early 1980’s. I hope he knew how mamy friends he had. He literally did it ‘My Way,’” Cutler posted.

WKYT sports personality Steve Moss called it a “tough loss for those of us who cover the UK beat” and he was right.

“Lonny was a gem, who loved his Cats and seemingly always had some ‘scoop.’ I always enjoyed playing golf with Lonny and crackin’ jokes with him. He will be missed,” Moss posted on social media.

WLEX-TV BBN Tonight anchor Maggie Davis also was “heartbroken” by Lonny’s passing.

“Lonny was one of the very best — a huge heart and a sense of humor that could catch you by surprise in the best way. Prayers to his family and friends and to our lil media family, too. He’ll be dearly missed,” she posted.

Sportswriter Keith Taylor took several road trips with Lonny and often sat by him at UK events. He admitted he cried when he heard the news.

“We covered games together and went on road trips together (the only human I know who could make me stop at Waffle House at 2 a.m. somewhere in South Carolina and eat a patty melt). I made him laugh and he made me laugh. Most of all shared a genuine love for the Lord. Man, he could sing a gospel song! Love you and Rest in Peace, Lonny,” Taylor posted.

Susan Lax of UK media relations saw Lonny often with her duties overseeing football.

“Lonny would call me often, well, mostly butt dial on accident. But it would always make me smile. He could never figure out WiFi, his cell phone or his computer but he always found a way to cover UK football. He was a good man and I will miss him,” Lax posted.

Me, too. I hope he did understand how beloved he was and it just reminds me again how we should give “flowers” to folks while they are still alive and can enjoy them instead of waiting until after the pass.

Goodbye Lonny and keep an eye on the Cats in Gainesville Saturday from your spot in heaven.