Charles Mootry, Johnson Publishing Company VP, dies

Jet, Nov 17, 2003

Charles Mootry, vice president, advertising director of Johnson Publishing Company in Chicago, recently died after an extended illness at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He was 55.

A 20-year veteran of Johnson Publishing Company, Mootry began his employment with the company in 1978 serving as vice president and director of broadcasting and general manager of the company's WJPC radio station.

He was responsible for management of radio operations, including advertising sales, on-air programming and policy, FCC and legal communications, financial projections and forecast.

Mootry had an eye for radio talent and hired a then-unknown deejay, Tom Joyner, who quickly helped to make WJPC the No. 1 radio station in Chicago. Joyner has gone on to host the nationally syndicated radio show, "The Tom Joyner Morning Show."

Mootry was named vice president, advertising director, for Johnson Publishing Company in 2001 and in that post he supervised the Jet advertising staff.

Johnson Publishing Company Founder and Chairman John H. Johnson stated: "Charles Mootry was a valued member of our staff for 20 years. He was creative and diligent in all assignments for the company. He will be missed greatly."

Johnson Publishing Company President and CEO Linda Johnson Rice stated: "I have relied on Charles Mootry to oversee the advertising department of JET. Our sales have steadily increased under his leadership. His passing leaves a void in the Jet advertising department."

Born in Chicago, Mootry graduated from Thornton High School in Harvey, IL, in 1965.

Immediately after high school, he served in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1966.

Mootry later attended Boise State College in Boise, Idaho, before he launched his distinguished career.

He was later employed as an account representative for the Reuben H. Donnelley Company and as an account executive for Central City Marketing, Inc.

Prior to his joining Johnson Publishing Company, Mootry served as the general sales manager of WVON Radio, where he spent several years in dynamic leadership of the sales department.

He is survived by his wife, Vanessa Mootry; two sons, Charles Mootry IV and Anthony Mootry; daughter, Tonya Alexander; father, Charles Mootry Sr.; brothers, Michael Mootry and Steven Mootry; and sisters, Francis JoAnn Mootry, Linda Mootry-Dodd and Karen Lewis.

Funeral arrangements for Mootry were made by the Griffin Funeral Home in Chicago. His services were conducted recently at the Christ Temple Baptist Church in Markham, IL.

Mootry's burial services were held in Washington Memory Gardens Cemetery in Homewood, IL.