Jim Boone, who built a chain of newspapers, dies at 87

Jim Boone

James B. “Jim” Boone Jr., who built the ninth largest newspaper company in America, by number of newspapers (about 70), died Feb. 13 in Birmingham after a brief illness. He was 87.

Boone succeeded his father, Buford Boone, as publisher of The Tuscaloosa News in 1968 and built "a community media company that now owns or manages 91 newspapers and related print and digital products in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia," the Boone Newsmedia Inc. obituary said, adding that he "remained active in BNI and with its affiliate newspapers until his death."

"He worked until 5 p.m. on Friday of this past week," his youngest daughter, Vicksburg Post Publisher Catherine Boone Hadaway, told the News. "He believed in the mission of newspapers, to make the community better; to be an advocate and voice for the community."

A 1958 graduate of the University of Alabama, Boone received many honors, including the Alabama Business Hall of Fame, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alabama Press Association; the Casey Award from the University of Minnesota for leadership in the newspaper industry; and the Frank Mayborn Award from the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association for leadership.

“Jim Boone, by his example, set the highest bar for so many for how to lead and serve a community, civic organization, church, a business organization or his family,” said Todd Carpenter, president and CEO of Boone Newsmedia and Carpenter Newsmedia. “Put simply, he made doing the right thing the main thing and that guided his every choice and decision. He was also dedicated to recognizing talent in every person that perhaps they did not know they had, then with sincere determination he dedicated himself to guiding, leading and driving them to reach their highest potential. All who knew Jim benefitted from his benevolent interest, first in their welfare as a human being, followed by wisdom and guidance he gave generously to all that is both uncommon and special.” 

Boone is survived by his wife, Carolyn, and five children. His funeral is set for 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Lowndesboro Methodist Church, followed by a graveside service at Oakview Cemetery in Lowndesboro and a gathering at The Marengo House, 100 N. Broad St., Lowndesboro.