Vic Edmonson, Chronicle obit
Houston Chronicle obit, April 13 editions:
Vic Edmonson, former Houston Post employee, dies at 46
By MELANIE MARKLEY
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
Wayne Victor Edmonson, a much-loved character who handled administrative duties in the features department of the Houston Post before it closed, died Saturday from illnesses related to diabetes and chronic heart problems. He was 46.
Former Post editors and reporters say Edmonson was highly efficient and a stickler for detail when it came to his job, which involved answering phones, overseeing expenses, and doing other administrative tasks. Edmonson also wrote occasional reviews and kept track of entertainment listings in the newspaper.
Ken Hoffman, a Houston Chronicle columnist who then worked for The Post, recalls a time when Edmonson took a call from singer Fabian, who was responding to Hoffman's request for an interview.
Hoffman, who had gone to lunch when the call came in, returned to find a message from Edmonson.
"Mr. Forte called for his interview," the message read, even though Fabian, the one-time teen idol and singing sensation, had never been known by anything other than his first name.
Hoffman said the message typified Edmonson's approach to the job.
"Every little detail had to be perfect," Hoffman said, "so when Fabian calls, it's Mr. Forte."
Clifford Pugh, another former Post reporter now at the Chronicle, said Edmonson's attention to detail could drive people crazy, but he did his job with such zeal and enthusiasm that it was hard not to love him.
"He had an unbridled capacity for seeing the good in life and the good in people, which in our business isn't always the case," Pugh said.
Friends say Edmonson was an avid Trekkie who loved science fiction, collected comic books and considered pizza — especially Hawaiian pizza — the most perfect food in the universe. He also tried to see every movie that came out. Last year, said former Post colleague Brenda Gunter, he saw 224.
Martha Liebrum, who was features editor at The Post before she became assistant managing editor, said Edmonson started as a copy messenger before moving to the features department and taking the job as administrative assistant.
Liebrum said Edmonson was more than just her right hand.
"He was my left brain," she said, "the part that's supposed to be linear, logical and calm."
Edmonson, who had bachelor's degrees in journalism and English, started working at The Post while still in college and remained there until the newspaper closed in 1995.
Edmonson then took a job as a ticket sales agent for Continental Airlines, where he was promoted to a customer service position and then to a similar position for Continental's Disney Vacations branch. He worked there until his death.
Survivors include his mother, Frances "Becky" Edmonson of Houston; a sister and brother-in-law, Debbie and Jessie Robinson of Houston, two nieces and a cousin.
A memorial service was scheduled Thursday evening.
Vic Edmonson, former Houston Post employee, dies at 46
By MELANIE MARKLEY
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
Wayne Victor Edmonson, a much-loved character who handled administrative duties in the features department of the Houston Post before it closed, died Saturday from illnesses related to diabetes and chronic heart problems. He was 46.
Former Post editors and reporters say Edmonson was highly efficient and a stickler for detail when it came to his job, which involved answering phones, overseeing expenses, and doing other administrative tasks. Edmonson also wrote occasional reviews and kept track of entertainment listings in the newspaper.
Ken Hoffman, a Houston Chronicle columnist who then worked for The Post, recalls a time when Edmonson took a call from singer Fabian, who was responding to Hoffman's request for an interview.
Hoffman, who had gone to lunch when the call came in, returned to find a message from Edmonson.
"Mr. Forte called for his interview," the message read, even though Fabian, the one-time teen idol and singing sensation, had never been known by anything other than his first name.
Hoffman said the message typified Edmonson's approach to the job.
"Every little detail had to be perfect," Hoffman said, "so when Fabian calls, it's Mr. Forte."
Clifford Pugh, another former Post reporter now at the Chronicle, said Edmonson's attention to detail could drive people crazy, but he did his job with such zeal and enthusiasm that it was hard not to love him.
"He had an unbridled capacity for seeing the good in life and the good in people, which in our business isn't always the case," Pugh said.
Friends say Edmonson was an avid Trekkie who loved science fiction, collected comic books and considered pizza — especially Hawaiian pizza — the most perfect food in the universe. He also tried to see every movie that came out. Last year, said former Post colleague Brenda Gunter, he saw 224.
Martha Liebrum, who was features editor at The Post before she became assistant managing editor, said Edmonson started as a copy messenger before moving to the features department and taking the job as administrative assistant.
Liebrum said Edmonson was more than just her right hand.
"He was my left brain," she said, "the part that's supposed to be linear, logical and calm."
Edmonson, who had bachelor's degrees in journalism and English, started working at The Post while still in college and remained there until the newspaper closed in 1995.
Edmonson then took a job as a ticket sales agent for Continental Airlines, where he was promoted to a customer service position and then to a similar position for Continental's Disney Vacations branch. He worked there until his death.
Survivors include his mother, Frances "Becky" Edmonson of Houston; a sister and brother-in-law, Debbie and Jessie Robinson of Houston, two nieces and a cousin.
A memorial service was scheduled Thursday evening.
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