Tim Tooten, veteran TV reporter and church minister, dies
His wife, Charleen Dawson Tooten, said her husband died of 'medical complications.'
Born in Live Oak, Florida, he was the son of James Tooten Sr., a World War II veteran and farmer and his wife, Doris McKiver, a community activist. He was a graduate of Suwannee High School, where he ran track, played basketball and was a disc jockey. After studying at Tallahassee Community College, he earned a communications degree from Florida State University.
He had broadcast jobs at WDVM-TV in Washington and at WSAZ-TV in Huntington, West Virginia, before coming to Baltimore and WMAR-TV.
In 1988 he became a WBAL-TV news reporter.
'Tim was the heart and soul of the newsroom,' said WBAL news director Tim Tunison. 'He was loud in the best way possible. He was a mentor to us all. He was larger than life and we referred to him as our newsroom pastor.'
Mr. Tooten covered schools throughout Maryland and announced school closings during weather events. After he started wearing hats with school colors and insignias, principals began mailing him their institutions' caps. He put on many during morning newscasts.
'Kids from all over Baltimore would tune in and wait for their school to be called,' said Mr. Tunison.
He also covered school-related events, such as the Cool Schools Plunge, a benefit for Special Olympics Maryland.
In 2023, Baltimore City Schools CEO Sonja Santelises spoke at Mr. Tooten's retirement celebration.
He earned an Emmy Award for his documentary shot in Liberia, West Africa, called 'Africa's Maryland.'
Mr. Tooten was later an affiliate faculty member and taught broadcast journalism at Loyola University Maryland.
In 2006 he began an evangelistic ministry. He founded Harvest Christian Ministries, a nondenominational church in Perry Hall.
Mr. Tooten was a Sunday afternoon patron at the Double T Diner in White Marsh, where he walked the dining room and greeted his many friends and congregants.
He became a member of the Sharon Baptist Church, under the leadership of Dr. Alfred C.D. Vaughn, where he was also ordained into the gospel ministry. He received a master's degree in theology from Saint Mary's Ecumenical Institute and a doctorate of divinity from Virginia University of Lynchburg.
He wrote, 'Leading by Example: A Parental Guide to Teaching and Modeling Christian Faith at Home,' and a collection of daily devotionals, 'Seeds of Encouragement.'
He was a board member of the Maryland Bible Society.
A life celebration will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Central Christian Assembly of God Church, 7411 Rossville Blvd.
Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Charleen Dawson Tooten; two daughters, Fallon Cuthrell, of Westfield, Indiana, and Taren Tooten, of Baltimore; a son, Timothy Tooten Jr., of Baltimore; a godson, Charles Cuthrell, of Baltimore; two sisters, Evelyn Williams, of Orlando, Florida, and Pauline Tooten, of Live Oak, Florida; a brother, James Tooten, of Live Oak; and four grandchildren.
Have a news tip? Contact Jacques Kelly at jacques.kelly@baltsun.com and 410-332-6570.
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