After Marecek acquired KFNS, he broached the possibility of Costas doing a show on the station. But Costas’ career nationally had blossomed to a point that wasn’t feasible, though he did narrate a series on St. Louis’ 100 greatest sports moments.

Marecek always advocated for St. Louis, and was personable. In a 1983 column, Post-Dispatch sports editor Bob Broeg called him “a 34-year-old whiz kid of sports promotion.”

That approach paid dividends for Marecek throughout his career, especially in his latter years when he founded and was president of the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame — something he took a lot of pride in, and was active with until the end.

He wrote several books about St. Louis sports and enjoyed keeping alive memories of the NBA’s St. Louis Hawks, who left for Atlanta more than half a century ago.

Cusumano marveled at the list of people Marecek not only knew, but could easily reach.

“If I couldn’t get a hold of somebody for my show, he’d call them on the speaker phone in his office,” Cusumano recalled. “’Stan Musial, can you go on with Frank?’”

Marecek’s son said his dad’s passing was unexpected, that he had lost some weight recently but overall was not experiencing any significant noticeable health problems. But things took a turn Friday when he became ill and went to a hospital. He had an endoscopy procedure Saturday, went into cardiac arrest and died the next day. His funeral is set for 10 a.m. Friday at Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens, 8749 Watson Road.