HAL L. CURTIS, 44, DIES IN CHICAGO

Hal Lorimer Curtis, 44, former editor of the TIMES RECORD, died Thursday in Chicago. He was employed by the Chicago TRIBUNE at the time of his death.

Curtis, who was regarded as a brilliant journalist, edited the RECORD about 12 years ago and had a distinguished career in the newspaper business. At various times he had held high editorial posts with the Baltimore SUN, Charleston GAZETTE, Huntington HERALD-DISPATCH, Parkersburg NEWS, Detroit FREE PRESS and others.

During World War II he was with the Canadian Army in the Essex Scottish regiment. He served overseas, was injured and spent about a year in military hospitals in England.

He was a native of Spencer. His father, the late L. O. (Ord) Curtis, served as Roane County Circuit Clerk for several years.

An article by Curtis appeared in the SATURDAY EVENING POST a number of years ago, relating the story of the mammoth chain of weekly newspapers operated by the three Woodyard brothers, Ted, Bill and Henry.

He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Virginia Ingram Curtis of Lakeland, FL; and one sister, Mrs. Helen Hussey of Lakeland.

Funeral services were conducted on Sunday in the Barlow Mortuary with Dr. Joseph Clare Hoffman, pastor of the Christ Church Methodist, Charleston, officiating. Burial followed in Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston, WV.

Front page, TIMES RECORD, 22 Mar 1951
(Submitted by Jo Ann H. Stephens)