He may have been legally blind, but Paul Montgomery saw what it took to make people happy. With a gap-tooth grin and tattered top-hat, “Uncle Paul” endeared himself to children and adults alike as host of the legendary “Time for Uncle Paul” show on WRAL-TV.

Every weekday from 1961-1981, Uncle Paul entered Triangle living rooms with “Crawford the Lion” and a host of puppet sidekicks. He worked without a script, without a budget and without rehearsal, but Paul Montgomery knew the simple truth that laughter and a big grin is all we really need.

Kids felt famous and special getting to march around the studio behind Uncle Paul, and the daily routine became a staple of his program. He saw entertainment as the number one goal and did all he could to help kids have fun. Using a variety of puppets such as “Stripes the Skunk” and a “hepcat” named “Zoot,” Uncle Paul delighted studio audiences filled with wide-eyed children.

Paul Montgomery’s career began on radio; in the early ‘40s he joined WRAL-AM as an announcer and record librarian and made a name as a sharp-witted, humorous performer. He later moved across town to WNAO-AM, where he hosted a morning program. In 1956, Montgomery made the transition to television when he joined the staff at Raleigh’s WNAO-TV.

In 1958 he joined WRAL-TV, where he appeared as “Heinrich von Stuplebaum” on the “Cap’n Five” show. Wearing a straw hat and his trademark grin, Montgomery provided music and comic relief on the children’s program hosted by Herb Marks.

During this era Montgomery also played organ and piano for WRAL’s version of “Romper Room” and in 1960 became “Bozo the Clown” on WRAL’s local version of the popular cartoon show.

Then in 1961, Montgomery traded in his red nose and clown makeup for a tattered coat and top hat to become “Uncle Paul,” the studio ringmaster of what would become one of the longest running children’s shows in the Southeast.

Montgomery’s talents stretched far beyond broadcasting. Despite being legally blind his entire life, he became a highly-acclaimed jazz musician and composer.

Montgomery regularly performed with some of the biggest names in jazz as well as local artists. His collaborations with jazz vocalist Carol Sloane were legendary and included the album “Subway Tokens,” which was recorded live at Raleigh’s renowned Frog & Nightgown nightclub.

Montgomery was best known as a jazz pianist, but he also played the violin and served as organist at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Raleigh.

Paul Montgomery’s kindness and sense of humor endeared him to scores of North Carolineans, from tykes to the young at heart. As one fan and friend noted, “He made everyone feel good inside.”

Uncle Paul Montgomery died December 24, 2002. He was 78.