Veteran Georgia Capitol reporter and newspaper columnist Tom Crawford died last week. It was only six weeks ago that we learned he had cancer and was entering hospice care. Six weeks is merely a blip to those focused on the minute-by-minute news cycle during a political runoff. It can seem like an eternity in hospice world. Probably because at that point, it is.

Tom and I sat next to each other for a couple of years when I maintained a press pass to cover the Georgia Capitol daily in person, in the House press gallery. We knew each other mostly from email prior to that, but it’s different when you get to sit and talk with someone every day while they make their sausage about the legislative sausage being made.

I learned that Tom’s politics were quite different from mine. That didn’t ever affect our relationship, nor the quality of his work. He was a consummate journalist, as the messages I received the morning he passed reflect.

“He was a good man” noted House Appropriations Chairman Terry England. “…always very kind to me, and I will miss him. He helped me understand we can disagree on things and still be friends.”  Chairman England also noted on the rare occasion he needed to send a correction, Tom always took care of it quickly and cheerfully.

“Tom was an institution under the Gold Dome” said Kaleb McMichen, the House Communications Director. “He had encyclopedic knowledge of Georgia politics and a wit second to none. The press corps has lost a legendary journalist and this state has lost a great citizen.”

Tom was among the first to show respect to those of us who came into the ranks of political writing via blogging. That was quite possibly before any of us deserved it. He understood that “journalism” was evolving. He also understood at its core, it was about getting the news out. 

He was among those who were willing to share his experience and professionalism to help me hone my craft.  I remain grateful to him for his time, his patience, and his wisdom.

He continued to get the news out for 20 years with his Crawford Report until last month.  He also shared the pages of many of the papers who remain kind enough to run my column alongside his.  Now, cancer has removed yet another member of the shrinking Georgia Capitol Press Corps.

The numbers of those dedicated to covering state political news are shrinking.  Two are gone due to cancer in just the last year.

This week we’ll transition from runoff elections into partisan general matchups that will last us until November.  Tom and I would naturally be covering them beginning at opposite points of view.  His keyboard is now silent, and there will be a void.  I know he would be looking forward to the most competitive statewide elections since 2002. 

I saw a tweet recently that said something to the effect of “I can’t wait until Cancer is nothing more than an astrological sign.” It’s my sign, whatever that means, but cancer the disease has visited too many times to too many of my friends, family, and co-workers, too frequently.

It always takes a toll. It’s getting quite personal.

Farewell Tom. Your shoes will likely never be filled. But the footprints they left mattered.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Office of Gift Records, Emory University, 1762 Clifton Road, NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30322.

Charlie Harper is the publisher of GeorgiaPol.com and the Executive Director of PolicyBEST, which focuses on policy issues of Business Climate, Education, Science & Medicine, and Transportation