Local

Remembering beloved K105 Youngstown morning radio personality

K105 Morning radio’s Mary Ann Graff and Doug James poses with a check to help St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Listeners and friends in the community are remembering Doug James, a longtime morning co-host for Cumulus Youngstown’s Country station K105 (WQXK-FM), who died on Jan. 8 at 71 years old.
K105 Morning radio’s Mary Ann Graff and Doug James poses with a check to help St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Listeners and friends in the community are remembering Doug James, a longtime morning co-host for Cumulus Youngstown’s Country station K105 (WQXK-FM), who died on Jan. 8 at 71 years old. Photo provided

Listeners and friends in the community are remembering Doug James, a longtime morning co-host for Cumulus Youngstown’s Country station K105 (WQXK-FM), who died on Jan. 8 at 71 years old.

According to K105, James had been on-air since 1989, hopping on the K105 Morning microphone with co-host Mary Ann Graff since 1991.

He was a graduate of Springfield High School and an alumnus of Youngstown State University.

Listeners and friends in the community are remembering Doug James, a longtime morning co-host for Cumulus Youngstown’s Country station K105 (WQXK-FM), who died on Jan. 8 at 71 years old.
Listeners and friends in the community are remembering Doug James, a longtime morning co-host for Cumulus Youngstown’s Country station K105 (WQXK-FM), who died on Jan. 8 at 71 years old. K105

Bill Kelly is the vice president/market manager for Cumulus Media in Youngstown.

“Doug loved all of K-Country and was passionate about the music, the artists, the listeners, and our community,” Kelly said. “He was a devout supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. He believed helping our community of listeners was as important as having them listen daily.”

K105 said memorial contributions can be made in James’ name to St. Jude.

“Doug set the standard for morning radio in the Valley. He will be profoundly missed by all of us at Cumulus Youngstown. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and his many friends,” Kelly said.

This story was originally published January 14, 2026 at 6:00 AM.

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Kelcey Norris
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