Claud Prentiss Mann, Jr.

June 30, 1925 - March 11, 2008

Claud Mann, one of the pioneers of television news in the San Francisco Bay Area, died March 11, 2008 at his home on Vashon Island, Wash. He departed peacefully and was surrounded by his children, their spouses, his grandchildren and his wife of 60 years.

Born on Galveston Island, Texas, to Anno Henrietta Cline and Claud Prentiss Mann, Sr., Claud entered broadcasting in 1946 at KPRC radio in Houston. It was there he met the beautiful young pianist who was to become the love of his life, Loris Lea Padgett, marrying three months after their first date.

He received his undergraduate degree at the University of Houston, later attending UC Berkeley to study journalism on a Ford Foundation grant. After working in news at KSBW in Salinas and KXTV in Sacramento he ultimately landed at Oakland's KTVU in 1962 where he was instrumental in building that station's news department. He devoted the next 25 years to Bay Area news - producing, writing, reporting, anchoring and doing editorial commentary.

He was honored for his work by winning five Emmy Awards in 1975, 76, 77, 79 and 81. Other professional recognition included The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle, The Voice of California, John Swett Award for educational coverage and official commendations from the U.S. Department of State, the California State legislature, the City of San Francisco and the City of Oakland.

After taking early retirement in 1987, he was offered the position of news director/producer for the Santa Barbara-Oxnard station KTIE. In 1988 he and Loris relocated to be closer to family on Vashon Island, WA. Claud's "retirement" included spending the next two decades working in a variety of positions, including free-lance writer, producer, public information specialist for the Seattle-King County Health Department AIDS task force and journalism instructor at Highline and South Seattle Community Colleges.

He also continued radio and voice-over work, and for many years was recognizable in the Seattle area as "the voice" of Swedish Hospital. His professional success in television journalism stemmed from a genuine interest in learning about people, their stories and the world around him. He was a voracious reader and continued his education throughout his life. Science, medicine and politics held a particular fascination.

A remarkably generous man, driven by unconditional love and pride in his family, Claud was always supportive and encouraging to his children, grandchildren and friends and he was absolutely and completely devoted to his wife. They shared a lifelong interest in music, theater, politics, literature and art.

Claud Prentiss Mann Jr. is survived by his wife Loris Padgett Mann; brother, Raoul Mann; sisters, Anno Montgomery and Michelle Shapiro; children, Beatrice Mann, Claudea Gomez, Claud Mann III (noted chef and host of TBS' "Dinner & A Movie"); their spouses: Perla Batalla, William Freese and Pete Gomez; grandchildren, Joseph Skinner, Josh Skinner, Daniel Gomez, John-Claud Freese, Justine Freese, Eva Leona Batalla-Mann and great-grandson, Allen Prentiss Skinner.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to Friends of the Library, Vashon Public Library.