JASON MEALEY
WJXT-TV JACKSONVILLE
PRODUCER, ASSIGNMENT DESK EDITOR
IN MEMORIAM (2024)
Photo Courtesy: WJXT/Family of Jason Mealey
Jason Mealey was a beloved news producer and assignment desk editor. He died April 10, 2024 from a heart attack, according to his wife, Michelle.
He was 48 years old.
WJXT Remembers Jason Mealey
Michelle and Jason were married for 23 years. He had a passion for his work, planning and putting together newscasts, and for the responsibility of sending news crews to story scenes throughout our viewing area.
Jason was also instrumental in the creation and launch of our News4JAX Help Center. Many of the articles answering your Frequently Asked Questions were written by Jason.
Jason won an Emmy award for his coverage of the shooting at a video gaming tournament at the Jacksonville Landing in 2018.
Thursday, Jason would have celebrated his 13th year with Channel 4. Recently, he celebrated 25 years in the news industry.
Outside of work, Jason LOVED his Baltimore sports teams -- the Orioles and Ravens.
But Michelle said he also loved their adopted city of Jacksonville -- that was until it was time for the Jaguars to play the Ravens!
Jason recently reflected upon his childhood and memories of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed when it was hit by a cargo ship in March.
He felt compelled to write a special web story called “A Bridge to Jacksonville from Baltimore.”
READ: A bridge to Jacksonville from Baltimore
It’s a memory that everyone in the newsroom will cherish. Jason will be missed deeply.
dylan lyons
spectrum news 13 orlando
multi-media journalist
IN MEMORIAM (2023)
Photo Courtesy: Spectrum News
There was nothing more Dylan Lyons loved in life than his family and his career.
At age 24, it was all tragically taken in a violent attack on the job.
On February 22, 2023, Spectrum News 13 MMJ Dylan Lyons and Photojournalist Jesse Walden were immediately ambushed by a gunman as they arrived at a scene in a neighborhood in Orlando’s Pine Hills community.
Dylan was one of three people murdered that day, in a series of random, but connected shootings, including 9 year old T’Yonna Major, and Natacha Augustin, 38.
Spectrum News 13 Remembers Dylan Lyons
Dylan is remembered for being a motivated and talented professional.
”Dylan was truly the most dedicated professional, and happiest spirit,” Spectrum News 13 Anchor Greg Angel said. “Always upbeat, truly. Eager to learn, eager to connect and build relationships.”
Dylan joined Spectrum News 13 in July 2022. Before joining Spectrum News 13, he worked for WCJB TV20 in Gainesville.
“He had a big personality and was never afraid to ask the tough questions,” WCJB TV20 News Director Jon Levy said in a statement. “Dylan was also deeply involved in TV20′s charitable and community outreach efforts during his time in North Central Florida. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the Spectrum News 13 team.”
A graduate of University of Central Florida, Dylan interned in a number of Orlando newsrooms, including WKMG-TV, WFTV-TV, and WMFE-FM.
“Dylan wanted so badly to be a broadcast journalist,” WKMG Reporter Erik Sandoval shared in an online post. “He was excited for his future, and we were excited for him. When I saw him last year at an awards ceremony (where he won), I gave him a huge hug. Dylan was talented. Dylan was electric. Dylan had a future.”
Dylan was awarded Best Politics/Elections Series” by the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists. In 2021, he was a finalist for Investigative Reporting.
JULIE GLENN
WGCU PUBLIC MEDIA FORT MYERS
NEWS DIRECTOR, host
IN MEMORIAM (2022)
Photo Courtesy: WGCU Public Media
Julie Glenn joined WGCU in 2016 and worked in many different roles - reporter, program host and podcast creator.
The cause of death was health complications stemming from a progression of glioblastoma, according to WGCU.
In 2017 she agreed to step up as interim news director to lead the station’s award-winning coverage of Hurricane Irma.
WGCU Public Media Remembers Julie Glenn
She was promoted into the job permanently in 2018. She joined the board of the Public Media Journalists Association that same year and served the full two year term.
Former GM Rick Johnson said of Glenn in fall 2017:
“It was Julie’s leadership, tenacity and good humor under the most trying circumstances that shaped that coverage while nurturing the talents and sustaining the spirits of her team who worked around the clock to keep listeners informed and safe,” Johnson wrote. “The world — but more specifically Southwest Florida — is a poorer place without Julie in it. I am deeply saddened by her passing. She will be sorely missed by all who worked with and knew her.”
“Beyond Julie’s journalistic acumen and passion for news, she was a nurturing co-worker who always went above and beyond to celebrate someone’s birthday or recent accomplishment,” said Amy Shumaker, associate GM for content, in an obituary published on WGCU’s website. “If you were in need, Julie was there. We will miss her terribly.”
(Courtesy WGCU Public Media)
SHARON SIEGEL-COHEN
WJXT-TV JACKSONVILLE
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
IN MEMORIAM (2021)
Photo Courtesy: WJXT-TV
“If you’re reading this, then I finally lost my battle with ALS. I like to have the last word, so here are my final thoughts…”
Sharon Siegel-Cohen, an award-winning Executive Producer, spent 33 years crafting stories in her hometown of Jacksonville.
A beloved mentor to colleagues at WJXT-TV, and her community.
Sharon passed away April 9, 2020 from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. She was 62.
After years of working in newsrooms in Tampa, Atlanta, and Jacksonville, it was Sharon’s diagnosis that became her most important assignment. After her diagnosis in July 2018, Sharon became an advocate to raise awareness about the disease and the need for a cure. She received the Courage Award from Augie’s Quest, a nonprofit dedicated to helping find a treatment and cure for ALS.
Sharon wrote her own obituary, where she wrote “…Despite this cruel disease, I often felt like the luckiest woman on Earth.”
Sharon’s dedication and lasting impact will always be remembered.