• Dan Rutledge, 1941-2016

Former Baldwin Times editor and Gulf Coast Media county-wide sports editor Dan Rutledge passed away Feb. 3 at his home in Stockton. The Talladega native retired in 2004 after 40 years in journalism and no doubt died with newspaper ink in his veins and a note pad and pencil nearby. His career span arched from the Tampa Tribune, Atlanta Constitution, Troy Messenger, Talladega Daily Home and Gulf Coast Media. He received numerous awards for his writing including Best Writer, Best Feature Story and Best Column.

Here are some remembrances of Dan from some of his longtime Gulf Coast Media colleagues.

Sherri Killam-Albee — Former Independent editor and Baldwin Times editor and staff writer

“Dan had the incredible ability to bring out the best in every writer. When we first met, I was a new reporter covering Baldwin County government and state and local politics. His years of experience helped guide me. There were many times Dan and I sat in his very messy office while he helped me figure out how to best structure my story. (He, of course, knew where everything was located in his office even if the rest of us did not.) He taught me writing, journalism, photography and how best to serve the people for whom we wrote.

“He was kind beyond belief and would never let anyone leave him if they were angry. I loved his gentleness, his kindness and his sense of humor. He was a great journalist and I admired his seemingly easy ability to make stories come together.

“I was lucky to have him, his wife Luann and his daughter Love as my friends. Dan was so special to me and to my family. All of us were fortunate to have Dan Rutledge in our midst for many years and with his passing, a light has gone out that will not be seen again, except in heaven.”

John Underwood—Editor of the Times-Independent and former Gulf Coast Newspapers sports writer and editor

“Dan was one of the first people I met when I first came to work for Gulf Coast Newspapers back in 1989. He always had a huge smile, a huge laugh and a huge heart. There will never be another like him.

“In addition to being editor of the Baldwin Times, he was sports coordinator for the six newspapers. Soon after I started as a staff writer in Robertsdale, I started covering sports for the newspaper. After a week shadowing another editor, my first assignment covering football was in Evergreen (my choice believe it or not). The team I was there to cover lost something like 49-0. On top of that, it rained for most of the game and my notes were a mess.

“Back then, there were no laptop computers, no email, and we were had a midnight deadline to get the stories in the papers for the next day's print. I had to call my story in from a pay phone in Evergreen. I remember calling Dan, practically in tears. I had no stats, my notes were barely legible and I didn't know what I was going to do.

“He calmed me down, told me to forget about the stats and the story, just to tell him what happened. He was so patient, asked the right questions when needed, and ended up talking me through the whole game, must have taken well over an hour. That was just the kind of person he was and something I'll always strive to be (but seldom achieve).”

Larry White—Former Sports editor at the Baldwin Times



"I worked with Dan in the eighties at the Times and later, while I was working with Baldwin Press Register and at Mobile Register, I would see him at sporting events - always had a smile on his face and willing to help if he could.

“He loved playing basketball, and he spent many evenings playing basketball at the churches in Bay Minette with us. He was a true gentleman and a great friend!"