Reflections on a lifetime spent in a noble profession

When Gene O. Morris first came aboard the McCook Daily Gazette as a city beat reporter in 1961, he reported to duty in the old two-story, sandstone-faced building on Norris Avenue, and the results of his labors were applied to newsprint using methods virtually unchanged since the days of Mark Twain.

When he retired in 2008 the product he produced on state-of-the-art equipment was delivered to some subscribers at the speed of light.

("Retired" is a relative term; like many "retirees," Morris finds himself busier than ever, as executive director of the Fox Theatre and as a preservationist field staffer for Heritage Nebraska.)

But it wasn't the tools of the trade Morris mentioned Friday night when he was inducted into the Nebraska Journalism Hall of Fame, joining Gazette founder Harry D. Strunk, who was inducted in 1975, and his son, Allen Strunk in 2002.

After his devoted family, Morris credited his success to Allen Strunk, his first publisher, for teaching him "the importance of total devotion to the principles of journalism and community."

Next came Jiggs Crapson, who sold the Benkelman Post to Morris and his wife, Barbara, on favorable terms at a time they needed help. "Without his generosity, Barbara and I would not be here tonight," Morris said.

But he didn't stop there, listing Nebraska newspaper people such as Joe R. Seacrest, Harold Andersen, Gregg McBride, Loral Johnson, Tom Allan, John Gottschalk, Charlyne Berens, Frank Partsch, Will Norton, Jim Raglin, Allen Beermann, Jerry Huse, Elna Johnson, Wilma Crumley, Neal Copple, Jack Pollock, Jack Tarr and Keith Blackledge as inspirational figures.

"The future is in our hands," Morris said Friday night. "In my opinion, community newspaper work is the most noble of crafts. Think about what we do as newspaper people. We have the responsibility and the privilege of uplifting our communities by gathering information, providing entertainment and offering inspiration to those we serve.

"At our best, we are difference-makers, and it is a thrill to behold what we can, and have accomplished."

It's amazing the changes that occurred over the 48 years of Morris' newspaper career, stretching from hot type to the Internet. We'll be more amazed at the changes over the next 48 years, and probably much sooner.

But gathering accurate news, offering perspective and uplifting the community will always be a noble profession. People like Gene O. Morris will make sure of that.