A legend in the world of High Plains journalism retired this weekend. Jon Mark Beilue’s first byline appeared in the Amarillo Globe-News 37 years ago, and the Groom native has been a steady voice of reason in the Texas Panhandle ever since.
Beilue began his career covering class 5-A football games for what was then the Amarillo Daily News, fresh off his graduation from Texas Tech.
“It was an interesting life,” Beiluetold Jeff Farris of the Globe-News,adding, “I thought, ‘This is great. I get to . . . write about sports, and I can sleep ‘til 10 o’clock.’”
Beilue was promoted to assistant sports editor in 1986 and then sports editor in 1989. Beilue’s final column ran on Sunday.
The beloved columnist said he plans to work part-time after retirement, and he plans to continue writing in some capacity.
“Everything has a beginning and an end,” said Beilue. “I wanted to leave while I was still on top of my game.”
