Creek County business and civic leader Edward Knowles Livermore Sr., 95, died peacefully April 26 at St. John’s Hospital in Tulsa.

Livermore was a board member and president of the National Newspaper Association, receiving its highest honor, the Amos Award. He was also president of the Oklahoma Press Association, United Press Editors of Oklahoma, and received many state and national editorial awards. He was elected to the Oklahoma Newspaper Hall of Fame in 1970.

He served as president of the Claremore and Sapulpa Chambers of Commerce and was named outstanding citizen in both towns. He was a founding director of the Creek County Industrial Authority and also served on the Claremore Industrial Foundation.

He recently re-endowed the Livermore-Engleman Chair in the OU college of journalism and mass communications to ensure that the chair continues in perpetuity.

Livermore was a voracious reader, imbued with a thriving curiosity until his death. He was patriotic, a devoted Oklahoman and loved to discuss current and business events. He had a wry sense of humor and his “Ed-isms” evoked much laughter. He was a born Methodist and quiet contributor to that church and numerous charities. He was a reformed golfer.

Livermore was born Sept. 12, 1918, in Hobart, OK, where at age nine he had a job at the local newspaper. He received a journalism degree in 1941 from the University of Oklahoma, where he met Melba Howse Hudson, also a journalism student. They were married Aug. 30, 1941. He volunteered for Army duty in 1942 and was commissioned an officer.

Ed and Melba became publishers with the purchase of The Claremore Progress in partnership with Wheeler Mayo of Sallisaw, Ok., in 1948. Ed and Melba worked together for the next 50 years, acquiring the Sapulpa Herald, Edmond Evening Sun, Guthrie Leader, Oklahoma City Buyers’ Guide, Mineral Wells, TX, Index, and other newspapers in Catoosa, Del City, Midwest City and additional affiliated weekly publications. Livermore also owned a radio station and cable tv interests during his career.

Even as he reached the pinnacle of his career, he remained modest and unassuming, never seeking adulation. He began his career as a printers’ helper in 1927 and quickly grew to love community journalism, a passion he never lost. After graduating from OU in 1941, he and Melba began their journalism career at the Anadarko Daily News. After war service, they returned to Anadarko and two years later moved to Claremore.

His beloved Melba preceded him in death in 2013. He is survived by three children, Ed Livermore Jr. and his wife Marcia, of Kerrville, TX, Sarah Spencer of Santa Fe, NM, and Mary Bush and her husband Don of Leawood, Ks. In addition Livermore is also survived by grandchildren John Livermore of Dallas, Christy Jagodik of Los Gatos, CA, Lucy Bush of Leawood, and Mary Carmack-Altwies of Santa Fe. He is also survived by six great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Sapulpa on Saturday, May 3, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the First United Methodist Church, 1401 E. Taft Ave., Sapulpa, OK 74066. The family has entrusted the services to the directors at Green Hill Funeral Home.