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Tim Deegan to Retire After 42 Years at First Coast News
As Jacksonville’s television news landscape continues to evolve with notable exits, another significant figure is about to bid farewell to the airwaves. Tim Deegan, the chief meteorologist at First Coast News, has declared his intention to retire after an impressive 42 years with the station.
While Deegan’s retirement will officially take place on May 30, 2025, he intends to remain present during the transition period to assist in finding his replacement, as reported by First Coast News.
Tim Thomas, president and general manager of First Coast News, acknowledged the vital role Deegan has played in the community. “For generations, Tim has been a trusted voice for First Coast families, known for his precision in forecasting major storms as well as daily weather,” Thomas remarked. He emphasized gratitude for Deegan’s dedicated service and expressed confidence that his experience will be instrumental in selecting a new chief meteorologist who will continue delivering accurate forecasts.
The announcement of Deegan’s retirement follows closely on the heels of other high-profile departures in the local news scene. Six months ago, Tom Wills, an anchor at News4Jax, concluded his nearly 50-year tenure, while John Bachman left Action News Jax after a decade in September.
Reflecting on his career, Deegan, who recently turned 65, shared the weight he places on his forecasting responsibilities. “I have always taken my forecasting seriously,” he noted. “Friends have joked that sometimes I take it ‘too seriously,’ but weather forecasts often play a big role in critical decisions. My forecasts help our viewers schedule everything from weddings to games to marathons. Every forecast, every day, they all matter to me.”
A dedicated surfer, Deegan is married to Donna Deegan, the current mayor of Jacksonville, who previously served as a news anchor at First Coast News. Donna left the station 12 years ago after a lengthy 24-year career and made history in May 2023 as the city’s first female mayor.
Legacy and Transition
Deegan’s tenure at First Coast News marks the longest for any on-air personality in the station’s history. After his departure, fellow anchor Jeannie Blaylock will succeed him in this regard, having joined First Coast News in 1985, just three years after Deegan’s arrival.
Nonetheless, Deegan does not hold the record for the longest-serving television meteorologist in Jacksonville. That title is held by George Winterling, who spent 47 years at News4Jax before retiring in 2009. Winterling passed away in June 2023 at the age of 91.
Prior to his tenure at First Coast News, Deegan gained experience at KRIS in Corpus Christi and KBTX in Bryan, Texas. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University and holds certification from the American Meteorological Society, underscoring his professional credentials in meteorology.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Tim Deegan announces retirement from Jacksonville’s First Coast News
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