CREST HIILL – Ninety years later, it was time to celebrate at WJOL Radio.

Not only has Joliet’s radio station been on the air for nine decades, it was only fitting the man who was there for a majority of that run be honored to kick off the yearlong anniversary celebration.

Don Ladas, who died Jan. 19, 2014, was synonymous with WJOL for 55 years. He was known for his broadcasts of any and all sports, his tireless efforts for charity and for all the work he did selling advertising to any and all.

To celebrate 90 years on the air, WJOL will honor a different personality from the station’s history each month for the next year. Ladas is No. 1.

“It was obvious from the start, when we wanted to kick this off, we had to start with our brightest star,” WJOL Program Director Scott Slocum said.

Will County Executive Larry Walsh, Joliet Mayor Tom Giarrante and Crest Hill Mayon Ray Soliman joined Ladas’ widow, Mary Lou, and rest of the immediate family for the special occasion. They spoke before the “shrine” in the station lobby that included a large photo of Ladas, two old bowling pins and an emblem commemorating the station’s 90 years was unveiled.

Other familiar names – Slocum mentioned Tony Ray, Frank O’Leary and Bill Drilling as being among them – will be added to the shrine as they are honored.

“B-O-W-L-I-N-G ...” Walsh began, attempting to sing the tune that kicked off “Tenpin Topics” at 5:50 p.m., which Ladas turned into the longest running bowling show in the nation.

“Don was a good husband, father and grandfather, and he always tried to promote the young men and women of this community,” Walsh continued. “I remember when Joliet East opened, at one of its first basketball games, there was Don broadcasting it. We are a better community because of what Don Ladas provided us.”

Giarrante said he and Ladas go back 50 years, when they played park district softball together.

“Nobody likes to lose; nobody hated it more than Don,” he said. “We miss him as the emcee at the Old Timers banquet, even though he sometimes got a little long-winded.”

Slocum filled the master of ceremonies role at Thursday night’s annual Old Timers banquet.

Soliman recalled, “I remember the sports quiz Don had after Tenpin Topics. I was maybe 10 years old and never dialed fast enough to get in and answer it.

“I always listened to Don call games on a transistor radio. And when you talked to him one-on-one or if you were in a roomfull of people, he made you feel like you were the most important person in the room.”

Sheri Voss, one of Don and Mary Lou’s daughters, spoke on behalf of the Ladas family.

“There are so many wonderful memories, hearing stories that maybe we didn’t know,” she said. “Anyone who loses a loved one, remember to bring their name up often.”

That’s what WJOL was doing Thursday morning.

“Don was more than in our family, he was such an important part of this community,” Slocum said.

And, he never forgot. WJOL News Director Steve Brandy, who is Mr. Trivia to many, said he could not hold a candle to Ladas.

“It was incredible how he remembered who a guy’s dad or grandfather or uncle was and what they did in sports and beyond,” Brandy said. “He always worked that into his broadcasts. He made it one big family.”

That was the theme Thursday, the celebration of a community that Don Ladas, through a local radio station, transformed into a family.