by Jay Dellinger, Publisher

The Lincoln Herald family is mourning the loss of longtime editor and reporter Thomas Lark whose voice and talent have been a part of this newspaper since its beginning in 2012.

Thomas died Monday evening in Mount Holly under circumstances that remain under investigation by law enforcement. An individual is in police custody in connection with his death.

There will be time to report the details of that investigation as additional information becomes available. Today we would rather remember Thomas for the life he lived and the work he leaves behind.

Thomas was there when LincolnHerald.com was still new.

For 14 years he remained an important part of what we were building. Through changes in the newspaper and changes throughout the communities we cover Thomas continued doing what he did best… writing.

His name became familiar to thousands of Lincoln Herald readers.

Thomas covered local government, schools, churches, community organizations, special events, sports and the people whose accomplishments deserved recognition. Some stories involved major issues affecting our area. Others were about an individual or organization that might never have received much public attention without someone taking the time to tell their story.

Thomas took that time.

That is one of the things that makes local journalism different. A community newspaper does more than report the biggest events of the day. It creates a continuing record of the people who live here and the things they accomplish.

Thomas helped create that record for more than a decade.

He was also much more than someone who simply gathered information and placed words on a page. Thomas had his own writing style and his own voice. Readers who followed his work could recognize the personality he brought to a story.

Writing was one of his talents and it was a talent he shared generously with the Lincoln Herald and our readers.

Just a short time ago we celebrated the 14th anniversary of LincolnHerald.com. In looking back at the people who helped build this newspaper I wrote about Thomas and thanked him for being with us from the beginning.

I never imagined that only days later I would be writing these words.

When you work with someone for 14 years they become more than a name appearing beneath a headline. They become part of the history of the organization itself.

Thomas was part of our history.

Hundreds of his stories remain in the Lincoln Herald archives. They tell the stories of elections, schools, churches, festivals, community leaders, local accomplishments and everyday people throughout Lincoln County and surrounding communities.

Those stories are now also part of Thomas's legacy.

For those of us at the Lincoln Herald there is also the realization that a familiar name will no longer arrive with another story ready to be published.

Thomas gave 14 years of his talent to this newspaper. For that I will always be grateful.

The Lincoln Herald has lost a longtime editor and reporter. Our community has lost a journalist who spent years helping tell its story.

Most importantly a family has lost someone they loved.

The loss is especially difficult because of the sudden and tragic circumstances surrounding his death. Our thoughts are with his family as they deal with a loss that came without warning.

We extend our deepest condolences to Thomas's family and to everyone who knew him.

Thomas Lark will always have a place in the history of the Lincoln Herald and the work he leaves behind will continue to be read for years to come.