Passings: Steve McGonigle, Reporter Extraordinaire

Aug. 31, 2013

I'm feeling sad and nostalgic this weekend. Yesterday, I attended a memorial service for Dallas Morning News reporter Steve McGonigle, one of the finest journalists I've ever known -- and I've had the privilege of working with some good 'uns. The overflowing audience heard stories about Steve and his journalistic accomplishments, his take-no-prisoners approach to his work, his bedrock integrity and his outrageous, infuriating, endearing, over-the-top personality. Former colleague Craig Flournoy captured Steve perfectly when he asked, "How do you say goodbye to a hurricane?"

 I just got off the phone with Ed Timms, another phenomenal DMN reporter and Steve's frequent partner and best friend. He was returning from Houston, where Steve was buried today in one of the city's oldest cemeteries. He reports that Steve is resting in a beautiful spot, peaceful and tree-shrouded, the hustle and bustle of the city held at bay. A place of restoration and contemplation.

 A short distance away lies the final resting place of billionaire eccentric Howard Hughes. With a chuckle, Ed said, speaking from the perspective of Hughes (but the same could be said from Steve's viewpoint, too), "Well, there goes the neighborhood." Maybe. But I suspect those two will have a lot to talk about...d his outrageous, infuriating, endearing, over-the-top personality. Former colleague Craig Flournoy captured Steve perfectly when he asked, "How do you say goodbye to a hurricane?"

I just got off the phone with Ed Timms, another phenomenal DMN reporter and Steve's frequent partner and best friend. He was returning from Houston, where Steve was buried today in one of the city's oldest cemeteries. He reports that Steve is resting in a beautiful spot, peaceful and tree-shrouded, the hustle and bustle of the city held at bay. A place of restoration and contemplation.

A short distance away lies the final resting place of billionaire eccentric Howard Hughes. With a chuckle, Ed said, speaking from the perspective of Hughes (but the same could be said from Steve's viewpoint, too), "Well, there goes the neighborhood." Maybe. But I suspect those two will have a lot to talk about.