Sam Champion takes leave of Absence to attend Father Funerel

Sam Champion’s father Lt. Col. James H. Champion passed away last night, Oct. 25.

Champion, ‘Good Morning America’ (weekdays, 7AM on ABC) weather anchor, will take a leave of absence following his father’s death.

“After a life of service to his country and his family, Lt. Col. James H. Champion, U.S. Marine Corps (retired), passed away last night in Houston, Texas,” ‘Good Morning America’ senior executive producer Jim Murphy wrote in an e-mail to the show’s staff. “He was better known to us as Sam Champion’s dad. Sam, his sister Teresa and his mom, Sylvia, were all together with the Lt. Col. at the end.”

Champion took to Twitter to thank fans for their support. “THANK YOU! I feel your thots and prayer. LtCol JH Champion USMC Ret..passed last night..WORLDS BEST DAD..awesome guy.”

Champion, who is not a meteorologist, has been the weather anchor on ‘GMA’ since 2006. He will not be on ‘GMA’ for the rest of the week.