CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Lee Stratton Anderson, former publisher of the Chattanooga Free Press and one of the longest-serving newspapermen in the nation, died in Atlanta early Thursday at age 90.
Anderson was a widely known and respected conservative voice, patriot, Christian and civic leader.
Anderson was "a true gentlemen and a great newspaperman," said Walter E. Hussman Jr., publisher of the Chattanooga Times Free Press and chairman of WEHCO Media.
Hussman bought the Free Press from the McDonald family in 1998, but he met Anderson years before that. They got to know each other at gatherings such as the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association's annual convention.
"Everybody in the industry thought so highly of him," Hussman said.
Hussman said he remembers Anderson's dedication to his job, his community and his church. He also remembers his energy. When Hussman bought the Free Press, Anderson was 72. "And he was driving a Corvette and playing tennis several times a week and working long hours at the paper," Hussman said.
"I feel really lucky that I got to know him and work with him," Hussman said. "It's been one of the real pleasures of my career, working with Lee."
U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., a former Chattanooga mayor, described Anderson as "an exceptional Tennessean and a Chattanooga icon."
The former publisher's "impact on our city through his many roles at the paper, his civic service, and his passion for serving others, cannot be overstated," he said in a statement. "I am fortunate to have known him most of my adult life. ... My thoughts and prayers are with the Anderson family, his former colleagues at the Chattanooga Times Free Press, and all those across our city and state who were touched by his life."
U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, who also knew Anderson for decades, said he "never knew a more principled or hardworking newspaper man than Lee Anderson."
Alexander, R-Tenn., said Anderson was in his newspaper office at 400 E. 11th St. between 4:30 and 5 a.m. "pounding out conservative editorials," he said in a statement.
Anderson "was unfailingly polite and professional. It was a privilege to know him and to read his tightly written opinions. He made an enormous contribution to Chattanooga and to Tennessee," Alexander said.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam said, "Every time I was with Lee, I always left thinking that he is the type of man I would like to be. He was unfailingly kind and polite, professional and informed, and a true servant of his community. Tennessee will miss having Lee's voice to help guide us."
Anderson began a 70-year career at the Chattanooga Free Press at age 16 when World War II had decimated the newsroom's staff. Over the years he wrote feature stories and worked every news beat -- from police to business to courts -- before covering the Tennessee Legislature and politics at all levels of government, including five national presidential conventions.
Though he was named editor in April 1958, Anderson had been writing many of the editorials since 1948. In addition to being the editorial voice of the newspaper, he was, in effect, the managing editor, directing news coverage for decades through a cadre of departmental editors.
For many years, Anderson was a corporate vice president of the afternoon newspaper. Upon the death in June 1990 of the paper's founder and publisher, Roy McDonald, Anderson was named president and publisher. After the sale of the afternoon Chattanooga Free Press in 1998 and its merger with the morning Chattanooga Times in 1999, he had been associate publisher and editor of the Free Press editorial page.
He traveled the world, often to global hot spots, returning with personal news accounts for his readers. While on a seagoing junket to Cuba in 1962, his ship was detained during the Cuban missile crisis. His stories were the first eyewitness accounts from that naval blockade.
He was a political independent, while always espousing a strong conservative viewpoint. More often than not, that found him in sync with Republican candidates. As a strong supporter of President Ronald Reagan, he was invited a number of times to regional press briefings with Cabinet members at the White House. On several of those occasions, he was asked to dine with the president.
Anderson's editorials, known and respected for commonsense, patriotic and Christian values, often earned recognition. He received 28 Freedoms Foundation awards, including the Principal Award for the top editorial in the nation in 1979 and the top national honor in the Adult Community category in 2001.
Anderson was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Corinne Anderson; and two brothers, Bill and Herbert Anderson Jr.
He is survived by his wife, Betsy McDonald Anderson; two daughters, Corinne (Jeff) Adams and Stewart Anderson, both of Atlanta; a grandson, Sam Adams; a granddaughter, Dr. Claire Adams; and numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
State Desk on 06/17/2016