Columbia Tribune employee for 75 years, journalist dies at 100

COLUMBIA — Leslie Francis Pike, a long-time Columbia Daily Tribune employee, died Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, at The Bluffs Nursing Facility. He had recently celebrated his 100th birthday.

He was born Jan. 4, 1910, near Indian Creek, Mo. to John Leslie and Mary Opal Green Pike. In 1932, he graduated from the Missouri School of Journalism. He had been the oldest living graduate.

Mr. Pike was married to Mary Winifred Anthony for 51 years until her death. He later married Clara Marie Wiedmeyer.

He worked at the Tribune for 75 years, as a writer and circulation director. He wrote columns, such as "Mid-Missouri Memoirs," and also wrote several books. He was president of the State Historical Society and a member of the Boone County Historical Society.

Mr. Pike was a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Columbia, national and state newspaper associations, the Knights of Columbus and Kiwanis Club International. He was awarded the Silver Beaver for his years of service in scouting.

Mr. Pike is survived by his wife; a son, John F. Pike of Columbia; a daughter, Marilyn Gould of St. Louis; two step-daughters, Cheryl Fortuna of Rochester, N.Y., and Rachel Wiedmeyer of Houston; a step-son, Ray Wiedmeyer of Columbia; a brother, Don Pike of Washington, Mo.; a sister, Emma Jo Mudd of Monroe City;  two granddaughters; and two great-granddaughters.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1115 Locust St. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Boone County Historical Society Museum, 3801 Ponderosa St., Columbia, MO 65203, or any charity.