Newspaper world mourns a legend

Keith Parker, former editor of the Shropshire Star and its sister paper the Express & Star, has died after a long illness. He was 69.

Mr Parker, of Wrottesley Road, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, became a legendary figure in the regional media and in 1993 was created an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours, in recognition of his services to journalism.

During his time at the helm of both newspapers, he headed the regional news operation with both the resources and will to challenge the national media.

He was also a gentleman and a friend to his staff with a great appetite for life and a wonderful sense of humour.

His guiding principle, continued to this day, was that anyone who bought either the Express & Star or Shropshire Star need not buy any other newspaper.

Sarah-Jane Smith, editor of the Shropshire Star, said today: "Keith was one of the leading newspapermen of his generation - a true professional and a doughty fighter for Press freedom. He was a formidable mentor for so many journalists - and we will all miss him greatly."

Douglas Graham, chairman of the Midland News Association, said: "Keith Parker was a valued and respected friend and colleague whose whole career was with the Express & Star and Shropshire Star and, before that, the Wellington Journal.

"His long, distinguished and loyal service with the company coincided with its expansion in the 1960s following the launch of the Shropshire Star. Keith was at the forefront of this, both as editor and the managing director of both companies.

"I shall recall him as an amusing business companion who had total commitment to the newspapers he worked for. He will be much missed. My condolences go to his widow and family."

Ambassador

David Newell, director of the Newspaper Society said: "Keith Parker was, quite simply, one of the greatest editors of his generation and a superb ambassador for the whole of the regional and local newspaper industry. He was a man of modesty and was very down-to-earth. But he had a serious side and he was a great campaigner for Press freedom."

Keith John Parker, the son of a Shrewsbury engineer, was born in Keighley, Yorkshire, in December 1940 and educated at schools in Middlesex and Shrewsbury, and Shrewsbury Technical College .

He entered newspapers in 1957 as a 16-year-old trainee reporter on the Wellington Journal and Shrewsbury News.

He joined the Express & Star in 1963 and the following year was in at the launch of the Shropshire Star as a reporter, rising to editor in 1972 and a director in 1973.

In 1977, he was appointed editor of the Express & Star, a position he held for nearly 18 years, and was president of the Guild of British Newspaper Editors from 1988 to 1989.

From editor, Mr Parker became general manager of the Express & Star and then managing director of the Shropshire Star, where he also edited the Shropshire Magazine. He was then appointed managing director of the Express & Star and became chairman of Midland News Association Broadcasting. He served a total of 48 years with the Midland News Association.

He was diagnosed with cancer three years ago and appeared to have made a good recovery but the disease returned. As recently as last summer, he was still seeking new challenges, taking over as chair of the Midlands Media Awards judging panel

Mr Parker leaves a widow, Bobbie. They married in 1962 and had one son, Nicholas.