WICHITA, Kansas -- Thousands of Kansas kids blasted off with him every afternoon, but Friday Tom Leahy known to many as “Major Astro” died.
He was 87.
Tom Leahy became the Major back in 1962 when KARD-TV now KSN needed to fill afternoon programming.
"We had a good time,” Leahy told KSN back in 2002. “We had a good time because the show was live every day. That was great. I like kids. I like kids. I enjoyed it."
The role made Leahy an instant celebrity across the state as thousands of kids would rush home from school to watch.
Major Astro went off the air in 1973. It was reborn for awhile in the 1980's on KSAS-TV.
Decades later Leahy was still recognized as Major Astro.
"All the time people with gray hair come up to tell me they watched when they were children. Gee, thanks a lot."
In 2001 Leahy was inducted into the Kansas Broadcasters Hall of Fame cementing his t-v legacy.
Major Astro will live forever in Kansas broadcasting history and in the hearts of thousands of Kansans who he traveled with him to the moon every afternoon.
Leahy is survived by his wife, three children, and five grandchildren.
Rosary will be held at 7:00 pm Tuesday and Funeral Mass at 10:00 am Wednesday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
