YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Manager William Kelly Jr. confirmed the death of local DJ AC McCullough.

In the release, Kelly stated “No matter where you went. If you mention HOT 101 people immediately ask about AC. … The valley has lost a friend and a legend.”

McCullough has been a voice of the Valley with WHOT for over 50 years.

33 News Daybreak Meteorologist Jim Loboy began working with McCullough at WHOT when he was 20 years old.

“I learned so much from him just watching how he carried himself,” Loboy said. “He was one of the first people in this business that taught me how to be a true professional. Show up on time, know your material, give 100%.”

Loboy shared fond memories of his experiences with McCullough.

“I can’t help but think about him and think of the good times and the laugher and all those years of playing top 40 hits with him,” Loboy said.

Thomas John worked with McCullough for 22 years. He says McCullough’s voice is a memorable one.

“AC was cutting-edge top forty for fifty years. Twelve-year-old kids listened to AC in the morning before they went to school for fifty years,” John said.

“I can understand why people literally woke up with him every morning for decades,” John said. “That’s the way I feel about it, you know. I don’t think AC had a proto-typical voice in any way. … AC had AC’s voice.”

In a 2020 interview with First News Anchor Stan Boney, McCullough said he wasn’t sure when he would retire.

“And the fact of the matter is that I really can’t put a time frame on it, ’cause we’re having so much fun every day and, you know, I really don’t know,” McCullough said in the interview. “I love what I do.”