Editor’s note: Stewart Doreen worked at the Midland Reporter-Telegram from 1995-2023, serving as the Editor for 13 years. This opinion piece was submitted to The Permian Press for publication. Readers interested in submitting an opinion on this or another local issue can visit our Submit a Story page.

In 1929, T. Paul Barron brought together the Reporter and Telegram newspapers, establishing the newspaper that became the primary news source and information provider for Midlanders for decades.

It was Barron who wrote the Reporter-Telegram, “will stand for progress at times. It will sponsor any worthy cause in Midland and its territory and will come out in the open and champion development of resources in this section of West Texas. It will attempt to keep pace with Midland’s growth and will go beyond that and attempt to be a leader for bigger and better things.”

He also wrote, “The Reporter-Telegram will give close cooperation with churches, civic organizations, schools and institutions of the community, assisting each one impartially. Such organizations are invited to make use of the columns of The Reporter-Telegram.”

Barron realized the importance of a good community newspaper went beyond the stories, pictures and headlines. So did Charlie Spence.

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Mr. Spence, the former publisher of the Reporter-Telegram who, at the age of 67, left the Reporter-Telegram in 2007, passed away. He left behind a community once dependent on his leadership at the Reporter-Telegram.

Because other than the Midland’s legendary foundations and philanthropic leaders, it is hard to find one Midlander who understood what it meant to stand for progress, to sponsor worthy causes, to come out in the open and champion development of resources in this section of West Texas.

Attempt to keep pace with Midland’s growth and attempt to be a leader for bigger and better things? Mr. Spence was there for countless civic organizations and institutions of the community. It was during a time when the Reporter-Telegram mattered as much as any time in its history.

The news? Yes, it is, was and will always be important, but there were fundraisers taking place, capital campaigns starting up or needing an extra push, and awareness to be spread in the city with as many nonprofits as any in Texas. The Reporter-Telegram’s space was going to be put to good use. Mr. Spence made sure of that.

During my time as editor of the newspaper, Mr. Spence had retired, and those partnerships weren’t as prevalent. Financial pressures limited opportunity, but those inside the Reporter-Telegram found every way possible to help when help was a possibility. The goal was to provide a voice in any way possible.

Still, our efforts hardly compared to the man, who made the Reporter-Telegram a trusted partner – no matter the price of oil. It is sad, because newspapers might be able to provide news and information in a way to stay relevant for years to come, but their days of being that community partner Barron called for, and Spence made happen, are in the rear-view mirror. That’s a tough reality for this grizzled, old veteran.

Still, no matter the reality, it is hard to imagine a community leader who had, has or will have the impact of Mr. Spence. He will be missed and his life will be celebrated.