KILLEEN — James Chambliss Gresham of Killeen, who became the editor and publisher of the Killeen Daily Herald in 1954, the year after it converted from a weekly to a daily, and built it into a successful publication, died Wednesday at a Temple hospital. He was 93.
Gresham, a graduate of the University of Texas with a degree in journalism, was a well-known Texas newspaperman, having worked for the Temple Daily Telegram, the Wichita Falls Record-News and the Dallas Times Herald before purchasing an interest in the Killeen Daily Herald in 1954.
He served as editor and publisher of the Herald and as vice president of Killeen Publishing Company from 1954 until he retired in 1974.
Born Sept. 9, 1913, in Temple, Gresham was the son of the late O.P. “Pink” Gresham and Willie Ellen Chambliss Gresham, a pioneer Temple family. He was a graduate of Temple High School, Temple Junior College and the University of Texas.
During his time as a student at Temple Junior College, Gresham took a course in journalism taught by Willard Barr, a Temple Daily Telegram deskman. Not knowing that Gresham’s father had been a newspaper editor, Barr once remarked, “Gresham, I think you’d make a good newspaperman.” Gresham later wrote that he never forgot that comment.
While Gresham was working at the Dallas Times Herald, he looked for a newspaper to buy. That led to his purchase of 20 percent ownership in the Killeen Daily Herald. That’s where he finished his newspaper career as editor and publisher of the daily.
After retirement, Gresham wrote his autobiography, “Final Edition.” He dedicated it to the Bell County Museum, which accepted the book for sale.
Gresham was preceded in death by his wife, Tommie Lee. He is survived by a son, James C. Gresham Jr. of Corpus Christi; a daughter, Gari Gresham Kaufman of Austin; and five grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church in Killeen with the Rev. Skip Blancett officiating.
Visitation will be 3-5 p.m. Sunday at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen.
