There's something to be said for an obituary that features "stubbornness" as a character trait. Surely the dearly departed must have been an editor. Someone who clenched his fists when writers spelled "alot" as one word or hyphenated an adverb. Or worse, misused it's and its. Crimes, all. Punishable crimes!
Talking to old-timers in the news business, Ed Gray was the copiest of copy editors and bookest of book editors and the most perspective of Perspective editors and a man who would have killed this sentence on sight. But for the generation of reporters and editors who came to this newspaper post-John Robert Starr, another word is often used. Ed Gray was kind.
Yes, kind. Back then, the kids of the newsroom (who aren't kids any more) didn't have to worry about getting on Ed Gray's bad side. He must've saved his stubbornness for editors and writers of his generation, who were old enough to know better. The young people around him had their own editors they could tremble before. To many of us, Mr. Ed was the quiet book guy who could answer any question. Which is actually nothing for editors, who can always provide an answer to any question. But Ed Gray would answer correctly, which made him stand out.
Arkansas lost another old lion of the news business when Ed Gray died before the holiday this week. Rest in peace, Mr. Gray. This week we will re-read a favorite book, probably by Charles Portis, and think of you.
Editorial on 07/09/2016