Milford Fryer
I first knew Gene as a bureau chief for UPI and I was a state reporter for The Advocate.
I was covering the Jambalaya Festival, and Gene was a judge. He made a great photo, as he sat with bowls of jambalaya in front of him, and a fork I each hand. Years later, after UPI had folded and I was Suburban editor, a mutual friend suggested Gene for an editing opening I had. Gene lived in New Orleans and drove to work at our office in Baton Rouge for years before Katrina forced him to Baton Rouge. Gene still had the “fork in each hand” photo. Gene was much more than a great editor, he was a great friend, a confidant, as well as a mentor and teacher for reporters. He was a strong, tough editor with an exceptionally soft touch. Cool and steady under pressure, he was a consummate journalist. He had a wry sense of humor and was absolutely comfortable in the kitchen. He did like potato salad with gumbo, but I guess that’s a New Orleans thing. I truly missed Gene after I retired and moved away, and I was saddened that he felt brushed aside by the new management after the newspaper sold.
Otherwise my memories of Gene are all great.