* Douglas Gordon Huff; Fillmore Herald Publisher

Douglas Gordon Huff, the editor and publisher of the Fillmore Herald, has died after a long illness. He was 53.

Huff, who died Wednesday, was born in Los Angeles on March 28, 1945. He was raised and educated in Orange County, said Huff’s friend and colleague, Charles Mozley.

As a boy, Huff was active in the Boy Scouts of America and 4-H activities. As an adult, he enjoyed raising dogs and boating, Mozley said.

Huff worked as a staff writer at the Orange County Register and as a stringer for the Associated Press and United Press International.

Before buying the Fillmore Herald in 1987, Huff published the Desert Sentinel in Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

“Doug had an extraordinary career, and his knowledge of the newspaper business was amazing,” Mozley said.

During his 30-year journalism career, Huff worked as a reporter, editor, media consultant, writing coach and publisher.

He was a gifted writer who was doing investigative articles as recently as a few months ago, Mozley said.

Huff’s brother, David of Lake Havasu, has taken over as the Herald’s editor and publisher. The paper is family-owned, Mozley said.

In addition to David, Huff is survived by his parents, Robert and Kathleen Huff of Fullerton; another brother, Jess Huff of Sacramento, and a sister, Martha Huff of Fullerton.

A memorial service is planned for 10 a.m. today at the Assembly of God Church in Fillmore.

Burial services will be private.