Carol Stark as a young reporter- memories from her first editor

(The following column was written by Neil Campbell, managing editor of the Carthage Press from 1974 through 1993.)

Fond memories of the late Joplin Globe editor Carol Stark have focused on her courageous battle with cancer and her role as an icon of Missouri journalism. I remember those things as well.

However, I also remember my old friend as an eighteen-year-old starting on her first newspaper job at The Carthage Press. I was her editor.

I remember her excellent work ethic. For example, she was covering the Jasper County Youth Fair one hot summer day when her first son announced his imminent arrival. She continued working from her hospital room until her nurse finally took the telephone away. I once wrote her about that incident and she thanked me because she was afraid the Globe's younger reporters didn't believe it really happened. It really did.

I also remember her constancy. She was unflappable. I do not recall her ever appearing nervous or stressed.

The Carol you saw as the deadline approached was always the same Carol that you saw as the day began. That is a remarkable quality in any reporter, especially a very young one.

Those qualities, of course, were on full and dramatic display as she guided the Globe's reporting after the Joplin tornado, but they also were evident much earlier. I cannot say that I knew that Carol would go on to have such a stellar, ceiling-shattering career but I always knew that she had "the goods". Even starting out, she showed real promise. Promise fulfilled!

Of course, I remember and honor my friend for her courage and her wonderful career. However, recollections of her youthful talent, dedication and promise will forever grace my memory as they once graced my professional life.