The KENS 5 family is saying goodbye to one of our own.
Former KENS 5 news anchor Fred Lozano, a veteran San Antonio journalist who most recently co-anchored "KENS 5 Eyewitness News This Morning," has died, his family told KENS 5. He was 67.
Fred had been waging a quiet, courageous battle against leukemia for the past year and a half, they said.
He started his career with KENS 5 in 1977 and became a household name over the next 35 years.
He was a fixture on the station's popular weekday morning newscast.
"Fred was truly one of the original journalists who lived and breathed news," said Vicki Buffolino, his longtime partner on the morning newscast. "He was always on top of his game, but what many night not know was that Fred was funny and loved to sing. He would often sing through the commercial breaks and keep us all laughing."
"Mostly though, Fred loved his family," she said. "He will be missed among those of us who loved him but also in the field for which he dedicated his life.'
Fred's ex-wife and former KENS 5 anchor Kelly Chapman tells us: "I lost my best friend and a great dad to our boys."
Upon his retirement in 2012, Fred shared his thoughts about his time on air in San Antonio.
"It's been a true honor and privilege to have worked so long with the best television news organization in San Antonio," he said. "I sincerely want to thank all of our viewers. Without them it would not have been possible."
A private memorial service and funeral is planned.
He will be missed by all of us here at KENS 5.
