Shirley Thom passes

(WSAB announcement)
SEATTLE BROADCASTING LEGEND SHIRLEY THOM HAS DIED
Shirley Thom, a fixture in Seattle area broadcasting for over six decades, passed away yesterday (July 31, 2025) after a short battle with dementia. Her family made the announcement on Facebook.
Thom began her career as a Traffic Assistant at KOMO-AM in Seattle and rose through the sales ranks to become General Sales Manager of Fisher Broadcasting’s flagship radio station, a position she held from 1981 – 1988. She later served in the same role at Entercom’s KMTT-FM (1994 – 1997). A passionate advocate for radio, Shirley was also a Sales Consultant for Salem Communications, CRISTA Media and CBS Radio, among others, during her career.
Thom received the Crystal Soundies Lifetime Achievement Award from the Puget Sound Radio Broadcasters Association in 2010.
Shirley married her love of Washington Husky Football with broadcasting when she was GSM of the University’s radio network flagship station – KOMO-AM 1000 – where her sales team established record revenues for the company. Shirley was also a devoted fan of the Seattle Mariners, often attending games at the Kingdome and later Safeco/T-Mobile Field with her family and friends.
Originally from Walla Walla, Shirley attended West Seattle High School and Colorado Women’s College. She was 85 years old.
Survivors include her daughters Rebecca Anderson Suryan and Shannon Archer and several grandchildren.