Odom Fanning, an SPJ member for nearly 70 years, died in May at age 90.
SPJ records show that Fanning, who lived in Bethesda, Md., joined SPJ in May 1942. He belonged to the D.C. Pro chapter.
According to a story posted on the National Press Club's website, Fanning organized the Atlanta Pro chapter of SPJ and created the Green Eyeshade Awards, which encompasses 11 southern states.
"Over a long career, Mr. Fanning advocated for civil rights in the South, wrote for the federal government on public health, environmental policy, and marine sciences, and reported on public health, medical, marine science, and environmental protections issues," the NPC story, written by Sarahanne Driggs, says. "Mr. Fanning was previously a science reporter for the Atlanta Journal and the first public information officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."
He died on May 8 of pneumonia and heart failure.
To read the entire NPC story about Fanning, go to http://press.org/news-multimedia/news/journalist-author-odom-fanning-long-time-npc-member-dies