Mark Spain, a popular veteran news anchor for WSET-TV in Lynchburg, Virginia, has died at the age of 64 following a battle with pancreatic cancer last week, his wife, Lynita Carter Spain, revealed in a tribute post shared on his Facebook account.
"It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my loving husband Mark," his wife wrote in a statement on behalf of the family on December 19. "Our family along with the city of Lynchburg lost a man of hope, someone who loves this city and stood for equality, treating others with respect and kindness. He was a husband, father, brother, friend and a positive light in the community."
WSET-TV also shared a tribute to Spain on its website last Saturday (December 21).
"Tonight we are celebrating the life of Mark Spain even as we grieve his sudden death after a short battle with pancreatic cancer," WSET-TV reported. "But we know we are not alone in mourning--you, the community, are too.
"For nearly a decade you have welcomed him into your home and felt like he was family."
Spain had previously worked in various markets throughout his lengthy journalism career, which included Indianapolis, Cleveland and Jacksonville prior to his most recent position as WSET-TV's weekday anchor. The Lynchburg community honored Spain after he revealed his Stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis with a Purple Out day, a color symbolic of cancer awareness, which was also one the late anchor's favorite colors, earlier this month, the New York Post reported.
Liberty University, which is located in Lynchburg, also lit up its Freedom Tower to show its support for Spain amid his battle with the disease.