Harold R. Secord

H.R. Secord, Editor, Dead

Directed Gretna Breeze for 40 Years

(The World-Herald’s News Service)
Gretna, Neb., Aug. 9 - Harold R. Secord, 61, editor of the Gretna Breeze for the past 40 years, died Tuesday at 5 p.m. at his home here.

He had been afflicted for the past year with a jaw malady.

He went to an Omaha hospital last December for an operation and again last February.

Born at Dorchester, Neb., he spent his boyhood in Papillion where his father, the late Charles Secord, was superintendent of schools. He went to Gretna in 1895 and established the Breeze in 1898.

On his thirty-eighth anniversary as publisher, he said:
"I expect to keep on publishing the Breeze until the bell rings."

He made good on that promise. He continued writing for his paper until the day before his death and read his last galley proof Tuesday noon.

A democrat, he took an active part in Sarpy county politics although never seeking public office himself.

He kept membership in the Episcopal church at Papillion and was affiliated with Springfield lodge, A.F. and A.M.; Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen, and the Nebraska Press association.

Survivors include his wife, a daughter, Mrs. Gerald Collins, Omaha, and four brothers, Frank, Ross, and Paul, Omaha, and Clayton, Guatemala, Central America.

From the Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska), dated August 10, 1938