July 10, 1951 - July 21, 2023
Raymond Anthony Metoyer passed away on July 21 in Atlanta, Georgia after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was 72.
He was born on July 10, 1951 in Omaha to Raymond and Lois Metoyer. He graduated from Creighton Prep and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He spent his summers working at the family barbecue restaurant - Metoyer's Barbecue.
As a student at Lincoln, he covered college sports for WOWT, leading to a full-time job. He eventually anchored the weekend news broadcast.
His journalism career spanned more than four decades and took him across the country. He worked as a reporter or anchor at television stations in Denver, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta and Little Rock. He was often the only Black newscaster on the air.
He was executive producer at the Black Family Channel where he oversaw the production of specials and documentaries on the singer Della Reese, the murder of Emmett Till, and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
He managed the daily coverage of the Georgia legislature for Georgia Public Broadcasting and produced promotional videos for Habitat for Humanity.
He was a longtime and dedicated member of the National Association of Black Journalists and the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists, serving on the national board. Throughout his career, he made a point of mentoring and encouraging younger journalists. Promoting understanding and communication was his life's focus.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Delores Turner Metoyer. He is survived by his stepchildren, Tegwin and Brian Turner (Lanette) of Converse, Texas, sisters Lanette Metoyer Moore and Camille Metoyer Moten (Michael) of Omaha, brother Louis Metoyer of Los Angeles, and a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be announced.
Published by Omaha World-Herald on Jul. 30, 2023.
See "NABJ Mourns the Loss of Longtime Member Ray Metoyer" from the National Association of Black Journalists.
