Radio

President Reagan finally got his ranger hat, and “Shotgun” Tom Kelly finally had his picture taken with the President.

The one-time king of San Diego Top 40 radio emceed a Reagan campaign rally in Fashion Valley the evening before Election Day 1984. But when Kelly offered the president a replica of his trademark Stetson ranger hat in exchange for a photograph, he was told Reagan had already been given a Chargers football jersey and there wasn’t time for another presentation.

It took Kelly three years--and countless phone calls to the White House from Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Coronado)--to get a second chance. A few weeks ago, the long-delayed exchange was finally made. It was held in Washington during a five-minute Oval Office “summit” between deejay and President.