Pieces of Our Past: And now the news

Wendell Goler appeared on our televisions during the prime of his career.  Goler was the son of William Goler and the grandson of Thomas J. Goler, the latter of whom was one of the most respected African-American men in Dublin in the first half of the 20th Century.  

The Goler family was well-known and respected. The senior family member was Tomas Jefferson “T.J.”  Goler, who was born on June 29, 1873. Early in his adulthood, Goler became the first African-American teacher in Washington County, Georgia, in 1897. In 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt named Goler as one of the first three African-American postmen in Dublin. In those days, most African-American men were members of the Republican Party. Some 30 years later, Goler retired with a spotless record. 

For 10 years, this Glascock County native taught school before coming to Dublin.  T.J. married the former Miss Agnes Pauline Foster, who was also a school teacher.  They had nine children: T.J. Jr., James R., Winnie N., William F., Curtis, Wilbur D., Gaynelle L., Francis M., and Robert M. Goler’s distinctive whistle call alerted neighborhood residents that the mail was on the way.  He became a fixture on the streets as he rode his bicycle all over the city.  

A big 85th birthday was held with hundreds in attendance. Commenting on his 40 years of public service, Goler remarked, “Always give your best and your best will be given to you.” 

Wendell Goler was born in Jackson, Michigan, on Aug. 26, 1949. After completing high school, Goler graduated from the University of Michigan. Before joining Fox News, Goler worked as a White House correspondent for the Associated Press Broadcast Services and a reporter for several local Washington, D.C. stations, including WJLA and WRC. He graduated with a B.A. from the University of Michigan.

Goler served as a White House correspondent for the Associated Press Broadcast Services, responsible for all radio and television network coverage of domestic and foreign presidential activities, Goler anchored all presidential news conferences for the service. When Fox News premiered, Wendell was one of the first television news journalists to go on the air. 

Wendell climbed the ladder at Fox News. He rose to the coveted title of Senior White House Correspondent.  In June 2011, Goler was moved from the White House correspondent position to an expanded role as part of changes in FNC’s Washington Bureau. He was replaced by Ed Henry, who moved to FNC from Cable News Network

Goler covered events ranging from the acquittal of George Zimmerman and the Congressional hearing on the attack of the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, to the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton, to conflicts in Syria. He also reported on the political response to the fall of Lehman Brothers in 2008, the recession in 2007, and the Bush Administration’s post-9/11 policy changes.

Wendell Goler retired on Jan. 3, 2014. Wendell Goler died on March 3, 2020, at the age of 70 from kidney failure.  

“Wendell was a gifted correspondent, a wonderful colleague, and a Fox News original whose reporting was respected on both sides of the aisle. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Marge, and his entire family,” said Suzanne Scott, Fox News Media CEO, in a prepared statement.