Tom Fesperman; Former Editorial Page Editor of Santa Barbara Paper
Tom Fesperman, 82, former editorial page editor of the Santa Barbara News Press, died April 26 in Fayetteville, Ark.
Fesperman started what was to be a 47-year journalism career as a reporter at the Charlotte News in North Carolina, his hometown newspaper.
After serving in the Army in World War II, Fesperman returned to the Charlotte paper and held a number of positions including columnist, city editor and then managing editor.
He became managing editor of the daily Charlotte Observer in 1956 and held that post until 1973, when he quit and spent five years traveling with his wife.
He joined the News Press in 1978 and retired in 1983 but continued to submit occasional columns.
The Fespermans moved to Arkansas in 1998 to be closer to family members.
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