The words “legend” and “icon” today are often overused and frequently not deserved.

That’s not the case with veteran Kansas City anchorman Larry Moore, who has announced that he will assume the title of “Anchor Emeritus” at KMBC-TV, where has anchored for 40 years. He is one of the longest running anchors in TV history.

Moore joined the station in 1968 and was named primary anchor in 1972, according to TV Spy (LINK). During his tenure the station has frequently been the top-rated station not just in Kansas City, but sometimes in the entire country.

He will take on that new title November 27 and will occasionally do stories and anchor, but it really means that the station is letting him leave on his own terms.

Moore had previously announced last November he was scaling back his hours and was stepping down from anchoring the 10 p.m. news. In June, the ABC affiliate had brought in anchor Len Jennings from Fort Myers, FL, who then took over Moore’s duties at 10 p.m.

A few years ago public radio station KCUR in KC dumped its legendary broadcaster Walt Bodine and the listener backlash was so significant they had to keep him even long after his skills had diminished.

Moore’s announcement, done during the November sweeps, caps a career which has seen him win numerous awards for not just his TV work, but for his tireless efforts in the community. The University of Missouri should cap off his career by giving its alum its highest journalistic award.

This site profiled him and his remarkable career in 2012 (LINK). He has interviewed Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Clinton. He did the last television interview of the man from Independence, MO, Harry Truman.

“Few individuals have the opportunity to write the final chapter to their professional career,” said Moore. “I am grateful that KMBC has allowed me to choose that path — to maintain valued connections to the work and viewers I love, while creating more time to enjoy family and friends. I have dedicated over 40 years of my life to the service of this community. It has been, and always will be, one of the most satisfying and rewarding achievements of my life.”

Moore has been married to his wife, Ruth, for 44 years. They have five children and five grandchildren.