To mark my 20th year of being a cartoonist in Mississippi, I thought I’d dig out 20 tales from the past two decades. Some are funny. Some are serious. All tell the story of how I came to fall in love with this sometimes frustrating but always fascinating state we live in.
Ah, it’s election day. Election day brings back special memories for me — of live blogging, deadline cartoons and cold pizza. I never went out and covered the candidates, but I did sit at my desk, beating my head until an idea popped out. I’d face a 10:30 deadline, praying that the election would be called in time (Bush v. Gore threw a wrench into my plans.) I’d sweat blood but would somehow get the job done. My muse is cranky but consistent.
I can close my eyes and see many of my old coworkers rushing to make deadline. And I can tell you this, I worked with some really good people. Here are a few memories of a few of them.
1. David Hampton. David was my editor for 15 years and is a big reason why I am as successful as I am. He never told me what to draw (in fact, we frequently disagreed on issues). But he knew what was a good cartoon. And he is a fine man. I’m proud to still call him friend.
2. Shawn McIntosh. Shawn was my executive editor for a brief time. My 16-year-old, who was a baby during her tenure, would fuss at her — and I always felt bad about that. She’d like him now, though. I need to run him by the Atlanta Journal Constitution sometime so they can talk government. I think she’d be impressed. She owns the Eagle Head cartoon from 9/11. It has a fine owner.
3. Bobby Cleveland. Could read the phone book and make it funny. He also told me the best dirty joke I know. He’s a hell of a cook. Always said he had the best job in the newsroom. I got paid to draw. He got paid to hunt and fish. When he left the paper, I missed him immediately.
4. Rick Cleveland. Rick is a hell of a writer. Sure, he is a legendary Mississippi sports writer, but his piece he wrote about a mother sacrificing her life to protect her child during a tornado is one of the best pieces I’ve ever read. We’d see each a couple of times a year and I always looked forward to it. Proud to work with his son Tyler now.
5. Orley Hood. You miss Orley. I miss Orley. We all miss Orley. The guy was a brilliant writer, loved his wife and sons more than words and always brightened the day with his smile. I wish he could have had enough time to write a book. It would be amazing. Cancer sucks.
6. Billy Watkins. If I ever do anything worthwhile, I want Billy writing about it. He’s as solid of a writer as there is — an amazing storyteller. He also knows more about the Beatles than Paul McCartney does. He’s as good of a man as I know.
7. Joe White. You probably don’t know Joe, but Joe was the editorial department’s copy editor. He also was the person I first ran my ideas by in the morning. Joe has a neat store near the courthouse in Mendenhall and is one of the most interesting people you will ever meet.
8. Ruth Cummings. People called her mama Ruth because she took young reporters under her wing. Ruth also makes amazing cheese straws. I miss Ruth.
9. Debbie Skipper. Debbie is the keystone that holds the newsroom together. She has put in monster hours since I’ve known her. She is also a good friend and has a good ear. I run my cartoons by her when Sam Hall isn’t available now.
10. Mike Knobler and Rusty Hampton. Two of our past sports editor and both very different in style. But both are brilliant and ran a great department. Neither were shy about voicing their opinion. Mike is a great pilot (and sketchy driver) and has flown to Europe in a single engine plane! Rusty now is a strong cyclist.
11. Joe Powell. (One of the sports writers.) One New Year’s a rifle slug came through the ceiling, struck the desk next to him and ricocheted and hit the light, causing it to shower sparks like the Natural. Joe didn’t flinch. Bullet hole is still in the ceiling tile.
12. Kyle Veazey Kyle got social media before anyone else in the newsroom. He went from building a strong sports following to easing into politics. A good guy.
13. Jim Ewing. I sat four feet from Jim for 15 years. I’ve watched his struggles and victories. But I can tell you this, there is no one who can write informed copy any faster. He was a walking encyclopedia of issues.
14. Sid Salter. There aren’t many people who I respect personally more. Love or hate what he writes, he is one of the most solid human beings I’ve ever met. I look up to him and am proud to know him.
15. Annie Oeth. Annie has a big ol’ heart and is as tough as nails. She’d lie down in front of a truck for her kids.
16. Earnest Hart. Earnest had a rare ability most artists don’t have — he is calm in a storm. He’s now at the Secretary of State’s office and lays out the Bluebook. And he never changes.
17. Godfrey Jones. One of the most talented human beings I’ve ever met. I wish I could draw half as well as he does. The guy loves his cars, too. Would always love seeing what he’d drive into the parking lot.
18. Nate Ruffin. Nate was the HR director and one of the people who interviewed me when I got the job. He also was the Marshall football player who gave up his seat on that fateful flight. (Watch We Are Marshall). As long as he lived, he kept the memories of his teammates alive.
19. Frances Mack. Frances is the glue that holds the C-L together. She pretty much runs the place. But she’s also a great friend and a good ear when you’re having a bad day.
20. Jon Broadbooks. John and I worked for the same newspaper company in Houston, Texas. We were married on the same day. We both went to UT (he got a masters from there.) He picked me up from the airport on my job interview here in Jackson. Jon went up the food chain and became an executive editor before transitioning out of journalism. Great guy.
21. Chris Todd. Chris is a very good photographer and a better man. He’d bust my chops occasionally and had a very dry, acrid wit. But his resilience is something I deeply respect.
22. Keith Warren. Keith and his family were the heart and the soul of The Run for the Sun. He’s a talented photographer, a loving husband, father and grandfather. He can also make a Mac computer run when no one else can.
23. J.D. Schwalm. Cancer took J.D. from us. He showed us how to live while he was dying. A brilliant photographer but an even better human being.
24. Bill Hunsberger. Read one of my previous posts about Bill. An amazing man.
25. Emily Wagster Pettus and Gary Pettus. I’ve known Emily and Gary for a long time. Both are excellent writers. Gary’s sense of humor is as dry as it comes and he doesn’t give a rat’s ass who he offends. Emily is a solid government reporter and a good friend.
I could continue this all day. I’ve worked with hundreds of people in the past 20 years. Most were passionate. They all loved what they did and what they covered. Many were Mississippians. Some have gone on to the big time (Michael Wallace, Seiko Smith, Paige Porter, Ian Rapoport). Some haven’t. But all have shaped my work in one way or the other.
It was never about money with them. It was about passion. That’s something people who only focus on money will never understand.