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Sunday, January 31, 2010

New feature shows the value of a good obituary

Journalists who place a high value on well-written obituaries and tributes should like a new monthly feature in The Courier-Journal of Louisville, "A Life Well Lived." Lifestyles Editor David Daley says it will "go beyond the obituary page to bring out the full color and dimension of a life. There's an extraordinary tale to tell at the end of every life." We agree, and think everyone deserves a good sendoff.

We're also happy that the first "Life Well Lived" is that of Tommy Dyer, left, whom we knew as the keeper of an old-fashioned general store in flood-prone Boston, Ky., for 65 years. "Dyer's store supplied the necessities for life in a rural community, from slop jars and saddles to the stoves and refrigerators he would deliver, Paula Burba writes. Her key source was Tommy's friend Don Skaggs, who said, "He lived and breathed that store. ... He sold a little bit of everything: Horse collars, televisions, refrigerators. ...They had seeds for the farmers to plant. And he had clothes. ... You don't have enough space in your newspaper for me to tell you the qualities of Tommy Dyer. Tommy Dyer was honest. … There was not a crooked streak in his body at all. He always had a smile and good cheer. Money was never the object." (Read more)

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