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Thomas Squires 

Class of 66

   

Died: Dec 19, 11

   

SQUIRES, Thomas William Age 63 of Franklin. December 19, 2011. Award-winning sports journalist Tom Squires, a veteran of 17 years with The Tennessean and a member of the startup team that launched USA Today, Died: Monday, December 19, 2011 at his home in Franklin from complications resulting from his 10-year battle with Alzheimer's disease (Front temporal dementia). He was 63. A native of Madison, Tom was a star basketball player at Madison High School wearing the famous orange and white polka dots uniforms once featured in Life Magazine. A speedy 5'8" defensive whiz, he attended Austin Peay University as a walk-on for the Governors, but opted instead for a career in sports journalism. He began working at The Tennessean part-time in 1966, landing a full time position a year later as the newspaper's prep editor, a job he held for ten years and eventually earned him recognition in the Middle Tennessee Coaches' High School Hall of Fame in both football and basketball. His coverage of the Nashville Sounds baseball team during his last five years at The Tennessean won him the Southern League Sportswriter Award in 1979. In 1982, Squires was selected to be on the Gannett Company's start-up team to launch USA Today in Arlington, Virginia where as layout editor he designed the first USA Today sports page. In 1985, he was selected to be on the start-up team to launch a local paper, Florida Today, that serves Cocoa Beach and Melbourne and served 12 years there, first as editor of its widely acclaimed sports section. In 1987, he was named Assistant Managing Editor with responsibility for features, graphics, and photo departments, as well as the sports department. In 1998, Tom resigned from the Gannett Company to return home to Nashville to start three new sports publications. He launched Titans Exclusive, the official fan publication of the Tennessee Titans; SportsNashville, a weekly sports magazine covering high schools, colleges, and professional sports; and Kats Klaw, the first Arena League team publication of the Nashville Kats. In October of 2002, the Gannett Company purchased all of the publications and re-hired Tom to oversee all the online sports on Tennessean.com. He was the online Sports Editor until September of 2004 when he retired for health reasons after more than 37 years in journalism. Despite his worsening condition he was able to play both golf and the harmonica with his friends and relatives until late last year. Among Squires' other awards were The Distinguished Alumnus Award from Madison High School, the Distinguished Service Award from the Black Coaches Association, and induction into the Metropolitan Public Schools Sports Hall of Fame. Tom was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Brentwood. He is preceded in death by his parents, Billye White Squires, John Squires. Survivors include his wife of 36 years, the former Brenda Harper, their son Chandler of Franklin; a sister, Sallie (Derrick) Jansen of Nashville, and three brothers, Jim (Mary Ann) Squires of Versailles, Kentucky, John (Susan) Squires of Travelers Rest, South Carolina and Raleigh (Cynthia) Squires of Nashville. Honorary Pallbearers in addition to his brothers and son will be Ron Bargatze, Ronnie Carter, Bob Frensley, James H. Fyke, Doug Jones, Tucker Petre, Richard Purcell, Joe Reasonover, Bill Sargent, John F. Squires, Jon Squires and Frank Vega. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations should be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Willowbrook Hospice in Franklin, The Special Olympics or the charity of your choice. A memorial service to celebrate Tom's life will be January 10 at 7 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 9100 Crockett Rd., Brentwood, TN 37027. The Squires family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until the time of service at Holy Family Catholic Church. SPRING HILL FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY, 5110 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, www.springhillfh.com. (615)865-1101. www.springhillfh.com

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