Russell is fondly remembered for his fairness, his dedication, his service to others and being a man of his word
EDITORS NOTE: This salute to Don Russell, the former publisher of the Clay County News, features the script that was presented by Allen Beermann, the former Executive Director of the Nebraska Press Association, in 2012 when Russell was honored with the prestigious Master Editor-Publisher Award for his service in many ways to the newspaper industry in Nebraska during his 50 year career in Nebraska Newspapers. Russell’s career began at his hometown newspaper, the Plainview News in 1951, and served, with his wife Linda, as the publishers of the Clay County News from 1981-2005.
Russell passed away with his wife and family at his side in their Sutton home in the evening hours of Wednesday, July 15.
THE MEASURE OF A MASTER EDITOR-PUBLISHER In the intricate tapestry of Nebraska journalism, few threads are as resilient or as deeply colored by the local landscape as the career of Don Russell. Spanning over half a century, Russell’s trajectory serves as a definitive blueprint for how community leadership and journalistic excellence can coexist and reinforce one another. Within the strategic context of the Great Plains press, he represents the quintessential editor-publisher—a figure who understands that a newspaper is not merely a commercial enterprise but a sacred public trust and a vital instrument of civic health.
His journey is characterized by a lifelong commitment often described as having “ink in the veins.” It is a narrative that began with the humble tasks of a teenage apprentice in 1955 and culminated on April 13, 2012, when he was named the 41st recipient of the Nebraska Press Association’s (NPA) highest honor, the Master Editor-Publisher Award. This tribute examines the milestones of a career dedicated to the “extra mile” and the enduring impact of a man who served as both the conscience and the listening post of his community. This legacy of dedication was forged long before the accolades, beginning in the backrooms of a small-town print shop during his formative years.
FROM PRINTER’S DEVIL TO PUBLISHER:THE CAREER TRAJECTORY The newspaper industry has historically favored the “bottom-up” career path, a strategic tradition where leaders are seasoned by the literal and figurative heat of the press-room. Starting as a “printer’s devil”—a junior apprentice handling the messy, manual labor of a print shop—provides an editor with an indispensable technical foundation. For Don Russell, starting this path at the age of 14 formed a leadership style that valued the labor behind the layout as much as the words on the page. Throughout this journey, he was supported by his wife, Linda, who served as a dedicated professional partner and “proofreader extraordinaire.”
His career is a chronological masterclass in steady professional ascent:
• THE EARLY YEARS: Russell’s journey began in 1955 at the Plainview News, where he performed the essential tasks of a printer’s apprentice. While pursuing his degree at Wayne State College (1958–1960), he continued to refine his craft working part-time for the Wayne Herald.
• EDITORIAL ASCENT: In 1961, he moved to Clearwater, NE, ascending to the role of editor for the Clearwater Record and the Ewing News, where he managed the transition of editorial leadership for these community pillars until 1968.
• THE KIMBALL ERA: For thirteen years (1968–1981), Russell was an integral part of the Kimball Western Nebraska Observer. Here, he mastered the commercial side of the industry as an advertising salesman while maintaining his community connection as sports editor.
• THE SUTTON LEGACY: In 1981, Russell purchased the Clay County News in Sutton, leading the publication for 24 years. He strategically modernized the operation, navigating the technological leap from cold type to computers. Under his stewardship, the paper expanded significantly, averaging 20 pages per issue and serving as a “community watchdog” for six different communities.
5 DECADES OF DEDICATION • 1955-1958: Plainview News where he was a “Printer’s Devil,” apprentice handling floors and casting lead mats;
• 1958-1960: Wayne Herald where he was a part-time collegiate staff member, refining his technical skills during college.
• 1961-1968: Clearwater Record and the Ewing News, serving as editor, where he transitioned from apprentice to an editorial leader;
• 1968-1981: Western Nebraska Observer (Kimball) where he was involved in advertising sales and developed his business and community skills;
• 1981-2005: Clay County News: where he served as the owner and publisher, modernizing production and expanding regional coverage.
Through these decades of business success and community immersion, Russell naturally ascended to the highest levels of industry leadership within the state.
ARCHITECT OF THE PRESS:
Leadership in the NPA and Foundation Industry advocacy is critical for the preservation of local journalism, and Don Russell recognized that the Nebraska Press Association was the primary vehicle for protecting the state’s journalistic heritage. His involvement was characterized by what peer Gary Seacrest described as a “missionary-like” zeal, rooted in the firm belief that “every weekly and daily newspaper in the state belongs to the organization.”
Russell’s leadership contributions were both strategic and enduring: • NPA PRESIDENT (1996– 1997): As president, Russell focused on organizational unity and technological advancement. He was an early advocate for high-speed electronic photo engraving—a breakthrough for weekly newspapers—and pushed the association to adapt to the burgeoning digital era.
• NPA FOUNDATION BOARD: Serving as Vice President of the NPA Foundation Board, he championed the next generation of writers, ensuring the foundation remained a robust resource for scholarships and professional development.
His commitment to the NPA was a domestic extension of a worldview that would eventually take him and Linda far beyond the borders of Nebraska.
WITNESS TO HISTORY: International Missions and the 1991 Soviet Coup For rural editors, international study missions provide a critical strategic perspective, linking local newsrooms to global shifts. Russell was an active participant in these missions, often traveling with the National Newspaper Association (NNA) or groups like People to People International to refine his editorial worldview.
His most historic engagement occurred in August 1991 during a mission to the Soviet Union. Traveling with Linda, Russell arrived in Kiev just one day before the Soviet coup attempt against Mikhail Gorbachev began. This experience provided a harrowing contrast between the free press he championed and the censored Soviet media. He witnessed firsthand the state-controlled printing plants where censors removed articles, leaving blank spaces in the newspapers—a stark visual reminder of the fragility of truth.
In addition to Russia, Russell’s international journalistic engagements included:
• Taiwan and Hong Kong (1995, 2003, 2007): Observing the 1997 handover and the evolving political climate in East Asia.
• Cuba (1999): Witnessing the “Mother’s Marches” during the Elian Gonzalez crisis.
• China (2003): Exploring the complexities of the journalistic landscape in Beijing.
• Tunisia (2004), Costa Rica (2005), and Vietnam (2007): Studying diverse media environments and government- press relations across three continents.
These global experiences informed his local work, allowing him to act as a mentor who understood the profound global responsibility of the printed word.
THE “SOWHAT?” OF MENTORSHIP: SHAPING THE NEXT GENERATION The long-term viability of community newspapers depends heavily on the quality of mentorship passed between generations. Don Russell’s legacy is perhaps most evident in the professionals he influenced through a philosophy of “sweat and commitment.”
Darran Fowler, publisher of the Hastings Tribune, recounts a pivotal Career Day more than 30 years ago. When asked what was needed to succeed, Russell simply placed a notebook and a pen on the table and said, “These are it.” This gesture exemplified his belief that while technology evolves, the core of the craft—integrity, presence, and observation—remains constant.
Peers like Lee Warneke and Bill Brown characterized Russell’s leadership as being built on unshakable loyalty. Bill Brown specifically noted that Russell was a “publisher who understands exactly what it is a publisher does— he is the community watchdog, communicator, listening post, conscience, and above all, its ombudsman.” This reputation for character and selfless guidance ensured that his transition into formal recognition was the inevitable outcome of a lifetime of work.
DISTINGUISHED HONORS:
The Master Editor-Publisher and Beyond In Nebraska journalism, the Master Editor-Publisher award is the ultimate recognition of a career well-spent. On April 13, 2012, Don Russell was formally recognized as the 41st recipient of this honor. This award validated a professional life defined by the highest ethical standards.
His professional excellence was mirrored by accolades reflecting his broader service to the state:
• 1999 NSEA Champion of Public Education Award: Recognizing his unwavering editorial support for local schools.
• Admiral in the Navy of the Great State of Nebraska: A prestigious honorary title bestowed by the Governor for his significant civic contributions to the state.
• Eagle Scout & 45-year Scout Leader: Russell’s dedication to Scouting informed his professional ethics; his “loyalty to family, church, schools, town, and state” was a direct reflection of his background as a Scout leader.
These honors represent the formal acknowledgement of a life defined by consistent, high-level citizenship and an “extra mile” work ethic.
CURRENT PUBLISHER SHARES SUPPORTING THOUGHTS FOR RUSSELL’S HIGHEST HONOR: The current publisher of the Clay County News, T.M. (Ted) Gill shared his thoughts about Russell in a nomination letter to the Nebraska Press Association for the Master- Editor/Publisher Award:
• The former owner of the Clay County News in Sutton, Don Russell, is a most worthy candidate for this ultimate NPA award. Russell worked for a number of publishers and papers prior to acquiring his own paper years ago.
• After acquiring the Clay County News, Russell guided that paper through the eras of publishing from the old methods, to cold type, to computers. In addition, his offices in Sutton were good clean environments and always a pleasant place to work.
• One of the important factors about Russell was the fact that he helped bring young people along in the trade and never tried to hold them back and while they worked for him, he paid them well.
• Of course, one of the most important things a successful publisher must know is selling advertising...Don Russell had to be “King of the Hill.” He had more ideas and thoughts for the advertiser than one can imagine and this in turn made him a good living and a well thought of paper.
• Truly a family man, hard worker in his church, and very set in his beliefs, certainly always a worker for the good of his community and projects that were good for the city, school, county and area. Russell worked for many years with the Boy Scouts of Sutton and the area, having served a long time as Scoutmaster and bringing a number of boys along to the rank of Eagle Scout. Russell is an ardent backer of teaching our young people about camping, canoeing and outdoor activities.
• Russell has been a member of the Nebraska Press Association for years and served well in numerous capacities including president a few years earlier, and on a number of committees, while active in the organization.
• Don Russell, in my opinion, is a great candidate for the NPA Master Editor- Publisher Award whether this year or in the next few years. He has always been a more than diligent worker, regardless of the cause, an exacting example of what a “newspaper man” should be, and certainly loyal to family, church, schools, town, state and this USA.
CONCLUSION:
A PILLAR OF SUTTON AND A TITAN OF THE NEBRASKA PRESS Don Russell’s legacy transcends his success as a business owner. He was a true “Pillar of Sutton,” serving the community as an EMT for 15 years, a member of the Fire Department, and President of the Lions Club. He functioned as a community ombudsman, a role vital to the health of local democracy.
His career was defined by recurring themes of character and a dedication to citizenship. From his early days as a printer’s devil to his witness of the Soviet coup and his leadership of the NPA, Russell remained a steadfast advocate for the integrity of the press. He stands as a true Master of his craft—a dedicated leader whose lifelong commitment to the state of Nebraska has left an indelible mark on the industry and the many communities he served.
