Obit

Randy Moore, 63

Sports journalist, editor and author Randy Moore died Friday, August 21. He was 63.

Moore was writing a story on the football game between the Greenville High School and the Anderson County High School for the Saturday issue of The Greeneville Sun when he was stricken by a heart attack. He was given emergency treatment by the Greene County-Greeneville Emergency Medical Service for several minutes before being transported to Takoma Hospital where he was pronounced dead just before 1 a.m.

According to a family member, Moore  had a bypass operation in 1998 and also suffered from Type 2 Diabetes. (“Veteran Sports Journalist Randy Moore Dies After Suffering Major Heart Attack,” The Greeneville Sun, August 22, 2015)

Moore had been a journalist as early as college when he served as the editor of East Tennessee State University’s student paper, The East Tennessean. In his long career, which began in 1974, he has worked with several newspapers including The Knoxville Journal, where he was part of the paper’s Sports Department; the Associated Press, where he served as a stringer covering men’s and women’s basketball games; The Weekend Journal, The Jefferson Journal, and The Tennessee Star Journal, where he served as  sports editor; and the Rocky Top News magazine and the Inside Tennessee website of which he was editor in chief. He also authored three books on the University of Tennessee sports.

“Early in my career, Randy Moore was a real inspiration to me,” said Tony Basilio who hosts a radio program, The Tony Basilio Show, where Moore was a regular guest. “He was one of the people who helped me get started and encouraged me.” (“Obituary: Randy Moore was an ‘inspiration’ to many,” Knoxville News Sentinel, August 23, 2015)

He is survived by his wife Debbie, aunts, cousins, and his three beloved rescue dogs Freckles, Ears and Little Bit.

Alan Clarkson, 85

Australian Rugby league journalist Alan Clarkson, whose career was “built on accuracy and the unsensational presentation of news,” died Monday, August 24. He was 85.

Clarkson began his career with The Sydney Morning Herald in 1954, where he stayed for 33 years, and was the chief league writer from 1967 to 1989. He was also well-known for his appearances in Channel 7’s “Controversy Corner.” (“Former Sydney Morning Herald rugby league journalist Alan Clarkson dies,” The Sydney Morning Herald, August 25, 2015)

Throughout his long career, Clarkson covered five Kangaroo Tours, three Olympic Games, the 1970 World Cup in the UK, countless Davis Cup, and major tennis events.

He was awarded the Medal of the Order (OAM) of Australia for his services in sports journalism.

Colleagues remember Clarkson for his pride in his work and the great respect he gave to players.

“Alan Clarkson was a legend in the field and will always be remembered fondly for the role he played in the game,” said Todd Greenberg, the National Rugby League head of football. (“Alan Clarkson dies, aged 85,” The Roar, August 25, 2015)

He is survived by his Wife Toni, and their children Vicky and Anthony.