Matt Goree Oversaw Orange County Edition

Thomas Matt Goree, a retired newspaperman who once served as editor of The Times’ Orange County edition, died Friday of a heart attack at his residence in his hometown of Shawnee, Okla. He was 68.

Matt Goree, as he was known to his friends, became editor of the Orange County edition in 1972 and held the position until the mid-1980s. He previously had been city editor of the edition and, from 1970 to 1971, assistant metro editor in Los Angeles.

Goree served in the U.S. Army in Korea. In 1950, he graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Missouri. A year later, he landed his first journalism job as a reporter with the Springfield (Mo.) Leader-Press.

Goree then held reporting and editing positions with several newspapers, including the Kansas City Star and Chicago Daily News.

“Matt lived his life with a lot of strength, dignity and good humor,” said his wife, Pamelia Goree. “He had such a passion about the newspaper business, and he had an outstanding reputation for working with young reporters and editors.”

Goree also is survived by three stepchildren, all of Oklahoma, and two cousins, Harry Hiner III of Newport Beach and Beth Hunkapiller of San Carlos, Calif.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Roesch-Walker Funeral Chapel in Shawnee.

The family has asked that donations be made to the Shawnee Public Library, 101 N. Philadelphia, Shawnee, OK 74801.