Napier’s legacy lives on in pages of the local newspaper each week

CROSSVILLE-The Dale Hollow Horizon is mourning the loss of its founder and longtime local media mogul Don Napier, who passed away here at his home in Crossville Friday, July 26.

“Don Napier’s contributions to the Clay County community and the other communities he served are immeasurable, and there would be no Dale Hollow Horizon without him,” HORIZON publisher Jon Weaver said of the man who was responsible for establishing the newspaper in 2004, which has grown to become the community’s leading print, digital, & live-stream media outlet in less than two decades.  “The HORIZON is approaching its 20 year anniversary, all because of his vision and passion for his hometown community.

“We thank him for his foresight, his wisdom, and his love for this community—all of which have made the Dale Hollow Horizon what it is today.”

Napier’s 50-year career began as a sports reporter for the Cookeville Herald-Citizen in the early 1970’s, before he returned home to Celina to found the Clay Citizen in 1976 at the age of 26—a weekly newspaper now known as the Citizen-Statesman, after Napier sold the Citizen and it was merged with the Clay Statesman in 1984.

The Clay Citizen was recognized as the best small newspaper in the state in 1983 and received numerous  awards during its existence.

“Don was a really good friend and we worked together off and on for the better part of 40 years,” Napier’s longtime colleague and current HORIZON contributor Kevin Donaldson said.  “The former Clay Citizen won so many Tennessee Press awards while Don owned it.

“What I probably remember most about him as a professional was that he was an ‘idea’ man,” Donaldson continued.  “There are few people who fall in that category.

“Whether it was an idea for a story or his personal column, a promotion for a local or regional business, or for a political candidate, Don would come up with something that would work.

“We’re already missing him as a professional, but more as a friend.”

Besides the CITIZEN and the HORIZON, Napier founded many other publications—including the Fairfield Glade Vista and Crossville Life Magazine.  Additionally, he was on staff at the Nashville Tennessean, Nashville Banner, Crossville Chronicle, and other newspapers.

He was also successful in public relations through Napier Media Services, where he developed promotional campaigns for political candidates and business clients for decades.

“In my eyes he is the ‘Godfather’ of local media,” HORIZON editor Thomas Weaver said.  “He revolutionized the newspaper industry here locally and everywhere he went, he ran campaigns for big business and successful state-level politicians, and it amazes me to look back at what he accomplished at the time—especially doing it without the technology we have today.

“He was way ahead of his time and set a standard for us all to follow.”

In addition to his media legacy, Napier stomped a large footprint on the world of sports, where he did his best work.

Napier was not only known for his sports journalism, but also for his promotion of local athletes.

He was instrumental in the founding of the Clay County Sports Hall of Fame and was voted into the prestigious club by his peers for his countless contributions to local athletics.

“Obviously I may be biased since he was my uncle, but Don fell into an elite category of people when it came to passion for our local sports, and he carried that passion as a spectator, player, journalist, and advocate,” HORIZON Sports Network anchor and local sports historian Daniel Strong said.  “During the years he ran the paper, no one promoted Clay County’s athletes more than Don Napier.

“He always made sure that Cookeville and Nashville knew about what was happening in Celina and Hermitage Springs,” Strong continued.  “As a result, when the Hall of Fame was being established, it made perfect sense that Don was heavily involved and included as one of its earlier members.

“Being inducted into that brotherhood with the local greats he had grown up watching, played alongside, and covered was a tremendous honor to him.”

Napier also took pride in local history and genealogy, and was relied upon for his vast knowledge of all things Clay County, much of which he obtained through his work as a journalist.

“He’s been a big part of the museum throughout the years,” Clay County Museum of History president Beverly Hollifield said, while Clay County Historic Preservation Committee (HPC) officials also lauded him.

“Don Napier was such a contributor to every community with which he was associated,” HPC Chair Melissa White said.  “He was the driving force behind what became the official Clay County Sesquicentennial logo.

“HPC members are saddened by Don’s passing.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

The Napier family includes the Weaver brothers, who continue to publish the HORIZON and, like Strong, are nephews of the newspaper’s late founder.

“It’s hard to articulate all the ways this man has affected my life,” Napier’s protege Jon said.  “We’ve always had a special bond and I am very grateful to have been so close to him.”

“Like he did for so many, Unc (sic) gave us opportunities we would have never had, and I’m not just talking about the business,” Thomas said of he and his brother’s media mentor.  “His nickname was ‘The Giant,’ and he was that in so many ways.”

As a supplement to the tributes offered by those he mentored and worked alongside, memories of Napier have flooded social media since his death.

“Journalism will miss this talented man,” one post said, while another expressed the community “was a better place with Don Napier in it.”

“He was an outstanding journalist and citizen of Celina and Crossville,” was also said, along with someone stating Napier “leaves behind an impressive professional legacy.”

But that story is still being written… as long as words are read, photos are viewed, and graphic design is sought after.

Napier’s legacy lives on in the pages of the HORIZON each week.

He will permanently be a part of every story written, proofed, and published.

Each ad and layout designed will forever feature his imprint.

His influence will always appear in subsequent social media posts.

Broadcasts will eternally exude his impact.

And vast volumes of archives will perpetually prove his greatness.

Find Napier’s full obituary at this link: https://dalehollowhorizon.com/obituaries-7-31-24/