Jackson Weaver; Broadcaster, Voice of Smokey the Bear

Jackson Weaver, 72, who created the voice of Smokey the bear and was a prominent radio personality in Washington. Weaver and his partner, Frank Harden, were a dominant force in morning radio in the nation’s capital for 32 years on WMAL. They were No. 1 for most of those years, but their ratings fell with the advent of FM radio. Officials at the news / talk radio station estimate that Harden and Weaver broadcast more than 1 million public service and other announcements focusing on Washington-area community and neighborhood organizations. Weaver first gave voice to the Smokey character in 1947, a few years after the Advertising Council created the bear as a public service. It was Weaver’s voice admonishing listeners “Remember, only you can prevent forest fires,” that became synonymous with the character. In the early years of his career, Weaver also was a well-known television personality, appearing on the nationally telecast “Jimmy Dean Show” and other programs on what is now WJLA-TV in Washington. On Tuesday in Silver Spring, Md., of the complications of diabetes.