In the days following the death of Catt Sirten, a longtime radio personality with a unique place in Mobile’s cultural scene, plans for two public celebrations have taken shape. One will be on the airwaves, the other at the historic Mobile Saenger Theatre.

The communities that knew Thomas Glenn “Catt” Sirten from his long association with WZEW-FM 92.1 and his other activities were shocked by news of his unexpected death on Sunday, Aug. 6. Sirten apparently died peacefully at his desk at the station, where he had spent time over the weekend working on his “Catt’s Sunday Jazz Brunch” program. He was 68.

At 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, the station will air a half-hour interview by Kelly Finley, who interviewed Sirten about his career. Tim Camp, operations manager for WZEW owner Dot Com Plus, said that this will be followed by a special block of programming in the 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. time slot usually occupied by “Catt’s Sunday Jazz Brunch.”

Camp said that WZEW staff will use the time to reminisce about Sirten’s legacy. The station has been asking others to participate by sending in audio clips: “We are putting together a memorial show for Catt Sirten to air on 92ZEW this Sunday and we need your input,” says a WZEW Facebook post. “If you knew Catt, worked with him or were just a fan, Please take a moment and record a short memory on your phone and email (very important that you email this and not just post it here) to [email protected].”

Camp said it’s likely that live call-ins will be part of Sunday’s program as well.

On Tuesday, a public celebration of life will take place at the Saenger, 6 S. Joachim St. Camp confirmed the following program:

4 p.m.-6 p.m.: A fellowship opportunity for friends, fans and colleagues to share thoughts and memories.

6 p.m.: A Celebration for Catt will include remarks from some of those closest to Sirten, as well as musical appearances from a selection of artists: Phil and Foster with Donna Hall, Rick Hirsch and John Hamilton; Symone French; The Roman Street Trio; PawPaw’s Medicine Cabinet; Quintin Berry; Grayson Capps and Corky Hughes; Peek; Ross Newell; The Chip Herrington Jazz 5; Sara Smith; and The Excelsior Band

Sirten’s brother, Tony Rogers-Sirten, has said that a graveside service will be held in north Alabama, where Sirten will be buried next to his father, Thomas.

The Saenger tribute for Sirten is extremely rare, but not completely unprecedented. In August 2001, the downtown community was rocked by the unexpected death of Mobile Police Sgt. Craig Richards, who suffered a fatal brain aneurysm at 48. “Sarge,” as Richards was known on his downtown beat, was highly regarded for his personable, down-to-earth approach to community policing in the city’s developing downtown entertainment district. A memorial service was held at the Saenger.