Longtime WTVD anchor Larry Stogner dies

Stogner retired in January 2015 and said he was suffering from the debilitating disease ALS,, also known as Lou Gherig's disease.

Stogner began his television career at UNC-TV and worked as an anchor/reporter at WRAL-TV before joining ABC Eyewitness News in 1976.

Stogner was born in Burlington, raised in Yanceyville and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Stogner and his wife, Bobbi, had six children together.

Stogner concluded his final newscast with his signature, “thanks for the company.”

Gov. Pat McCrory said Stogner was a "pioneer in journalism" who was beloved by generations of people in North Carolina.

“Ann and I join with our entire state in remembering his military service, time as a broadcaster and courageous battle with ALS. His fight will help save lives and I am honored to have had the privilege to know Larry on a personal level and see firsthand the passion he had for his family and others," McCrory said. "As we pray for his wife Bobbi and the entire Stogner family, we thank Larry for the company during his 40 years of reporting the news and making our state a better place.”

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) also issued a statement on the news Monday afternoon, calling Stogner a "news legend."

While Larry will be long remembered for being at the top of the journalism profession, he will also be remembered for his courageous fight against ALS. It says so much about Larry’s spirit and character that after receiving one of the worst diagnoses imaginable, he never gave up and instead spent his final months advocating for ALS research to improve the lives of others impacted by this terrible disease," Tillis said. "Larry will be greatly missed, and Susan and I send our deepest condolences to Bobbi and the rest of the Stogner family.”