John was the Editor of the Tully Times and was on the job Tuesday night when he suffered what is believed to have been a heart attack and passed away.

He was aged 61.

John came to Parkes in the late 1980s, buying into the Star Hotel with local businessman, David McGlynn.

He was publican for quite a few years, before taking on a change of career by joining the Champion Post as a senior reporter.

John covered just about everything during his time with the newspaper before taking on a senior role at the Wagga Advertiser in 2002.

His talent was quickly recognised and about 12 months later, he was appointed Editor of the Longreach Leader in Queensland.

He purchased the independent weekly newspaper, the Tully Times early in 2006.

John wasn’t on the job more than a couple of weeks when the area was hit by Cyclone Larry, devastating much of the district.

A couple of years later, Tully was really hammered by Cyclone Yasi - and again the community turned to John in their time of need.

John quickly established himself as a popular leader in the community and set up the Ulysses Cafe (after the big blue butterfly emblem of the area).

He was also President of the Chamber of Commerce at one time.

His sudden death shocked the local community.

John is survived by his mother, Essie of Port Macquarie, sister Ann (Burleigh) and older brother, Tony (both of Sydney) and David (Canberra).

“He loved country towns and fitted in quite well,” his brother David said.

“He spoke fondly of the people and the town of Parkes, and in Tully was the person they all called on.”

Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalised.