Who was Gary England? Details explored as meteorologist passes away at 85

Gary England, a longtime meteorologist from Oklahoma, passed away on June 10, 2025, at the age of 85. England was renowned for his tracking of severe weather and for assisting viewers in staying safe from the storms. England served for decades as an Oklahoma TV weather expert and was a reliable voice during tornado season.

He was frequently featured on KWTV (News 9) in Oklahoma City. Many individuals in the state relied on him over the years for straightforward, calm, and clear information when storms were approaching. His alerts and warnings saved lives. England also assisted in developing weather tracking devices still in use today.

He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. While his cause of death has not been made public, his work and legacy have been remembered throughout the state and beyond.

Gary England's early life

Gary England was born on October 3, 1939, in Seiling, Oklahoma. He was raised in a small town and became interested in the weather at an early age. A devastating tornado outbreak in 1947 made a lasting impression on him. This most probably guided his career choice later in life.

Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. In the Navy, he started learning more about meteorology. After leaving the service, he attended the University of Oklahoma. He graduated in 1965 with a degree in mathematics and meteorology.

His early experience and education provided him with the means to begin a career predicting weather. Later, he applied that expertise to assist Oklahomans in preparing for the storms and tornadoes common to the area.

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Gary England's impressive career in meteorology

Gary England started working at KWTV in Oklahoma City in 1972. He spent more than 40 years there, becoming the station's chief meteorologist. His calm voice during storm coverage made him a trusted figure. When dangerous weather was coming, people listened to his alerts.

He was also a leader in using new tools to track storms. England was the first to use commercial Doppler radar on live TV to alert people about tornadoes. He helped create the “First Warning” system and a computer program called “Storm Tracker.” These systems gave early alerts about severe weather and were later used across the country.

In 2013, England retired from being on-air. He then worked in a leadership role at Griffin Communications, the parent company of KWTV. Even after retiring from television, he stayed involved in weather development and public safety.

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How did he influence weather reporting and culture?

Gary England’s voice became one of the most known in Oklahoma. He is remembered for a key phrase he would say during tornado warnings: “Gary says get underground.” This simple warning helped people know when to take cover. It became a familiar signal during dangerous storms.

He also helped train and mentor many younger meteorologists. Several people in the field today say they were inspired by England’s work. His style and approach to weather reporting shaped how many local stations now handle severe weather.

Gary England also appeared in movies. He had a cameo in the 1996 film Twister, which was based on storm chasers. He also appeared in the 2021 film Iké Boys. These roles added to his status as a public figure in Oklahoma and beyond.

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Gary England spent more than 40 years helping people understand and prepare for severe weather. His work as a meteorologist in Oklahoma saved lives and changed the way TV stations report on storms. He helped bring new tools to weather coverage and trained others who followed in his footsteps.

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