As columnist Mike Lackey says, “Nearly everybody, who was anybody, passes through Lima.”
The Lima News on Thursday published the passing of E. Roy Smith, the paper’s outstanding publisher for over a decade beginning in 1962.
Tom Mullen, who worked as executive editor for Smith in both Lima and Colorado Springs, was quoted in the Colorado Springs Independent as saying, “Roy was a legendary newspaperman and publisher. He knew R.C. Hoiles personally and was identified early as a key executive. He served the company well as a publisher in Texas, Ohio and of course, Colorado. He was a leader in every sense and was a smart businessman and publisher. He faced direct competition in three different markets and was successful in every case.”
It was my honor to work as a staff writer and reporter during his and Mullen’s tenure at The Lima News.
I extend my sincere condolences to his family, especially his daughter, Dr. Barbara Smith-Elliott of Houston, Texas.
— Larry L. Oatman, Lima
