Dick John, former KHOU news director and anchor, dies

KHOU Channel 11 former news director and anchor died in his sleep on Tuesday, January 21, 2014. Photo: courtesy of Fred Rhodes. KHOU Channel 11 former news director and anchor died in his sleep on Tuesday, January 21, 2014. Photo: courtesy of Fred Rhodes. Image 1 of / 56 Caption Close Dick John, former KHOU news director and anchor, dies 1 / 56 Back to Gallery

Dick John, KHOU-TV Channel 11's former news director and anchor from 1968-75, passed away in his sleep on Tuesday.

John is credited with hiring Jessica Savitch, Linda Ellerbee, Ron Franklin and Dennis Murphy, all of whom went on to careers at various television networks. He's also known for being the man who brought Bill Balleza to Houston.

In his later years, John was active in the KHOU Alumni group.

"The KHOU alumni was such a huge extended family of his and in his last days he marveled in the wonderful lifelong friends he had made there," John's son wrote on the group's Facebook page. "He loved you all and now is with the love of his life Ramona, his dogs, and those that have gone before. I can also say that as a father he was the best."

John also kept up with his writing on his website, dickjohn.com.