After 35 years at WTVD, Reporter Greg Barnes called it a career this week. 

Wednesday was his last day at the station, but he concedes he may still answer his phone with “WTVD, Greg Barnes” for the rest of his life.

The News Observer writes that Barnes, 66, joined the station in 1983, opening and running the ABC11 Eyewitness News Fayetteville Bureau.

Barnes said the death of his good friend and colleague Larry Stogner, a revered WTVD anchor who died last year after a short battle with ALS, got him to thinking about retirement.

“Larry Stogner’s death really knocked me back,” said Barnes. “He was not only a mentor to me, but he was a very dear friend and we’d joke and talk about retiring and enjoying life. To have something attack you that fast and take your life that quick, it really had me thinking.

“I have two granddaughters and great friends and want to enjoy my time.”