Aledo’s Community News sports editor Tony Eierdam dies at 59
Tony Eierdam, the sports editor of The Community News in Aledo, died Thursday at 59. He had been hospitalized at the University Medical Center in Lubbock since Aug. 9.
Eierdam, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Aug. 10, also had suffered a pair of seizures and kidney failure. He was unconscious for the first week and on a ventilator until Aug. 24, but was slowly making progress during the past week.
“Our hearts are broken this morning to announce the passing of our sports editor, Tony Eierdam. We were so heartened by his progress in recovering from COVID-19, so this came as a shock,” Community News publisher Randy Keck said on a Facebook post. “Please keep him and his sister, Judy, in your prayers, and we will provide additional information when it is available.”
A Go Fund Me account was created with nearly $18,000 raised.
“Tony was one of a kind, he was an icon here, Bearcat through and through,” said Aledo athletic director Steve Wood. “He was as passionate about his job as anyone I know.”
“Tony was more than just a local reporter, he was part of our Bearcat Family. We will all miss that big Tony smile,” Aledo football coach Tim Buchanan added.
Eierdam grew up in Fort Worth and began his high school days at Nolan Catholic before graduating from Eastern Hills in 1980. He went on to study at TCU. He arrived at the Community News in 2014 after stints with the Mineral Wells Index and Graham Leader.
A big TCU and Dallas Cowboys fan, Eierdam wrote about some of the best seasons in Aledo school history. During his time, Aledo won UIL state titles in football (4 times), softball (2) and baseball (1). His coverage also took him to five other state tournaments in baseball, soccer and volleyball.
“This is a huge loss for our community. Tony has been a great advocate for Aledo athletes. I honestly can’t imagine Aledo sports without Tony. I’m heartbroken,” said Greg Powell, whose daughter Marissa is a junior softball player. “I literally have tears thinking about what Tony has done for Aledo sports, especially female sports. Everyone loves to cover Aledo football, but Tony recognized the incredible female athletes that Aledo has.”
Eierdam’s coverage didn’t stop at high school. He was also known for writing about Aledo graduates playing in college. He made the trip to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series, where he watched former softball standouts Riley Sartain and Allie Arneson.
“Truly a great man. He covered my daughter all throughout high school and did an excellent article on her when she was in college,” said Jeff Whitener, whose daughter Bailee graduated from Aledo in 2018. “Bailee thought the world of him and always liked talking to him because he made it so easy for her to express herself. One great man that will be missed by all.”
“Tony was so much more than a sportswriter, he was truly a friend. He was such a champion for the community and the biggest fan of every kid who stepped on an athletic field, court or course,” added former Aledo softball coach Jeff Lemons. “His passion for the Bearcats and Ladycats was obvious by the way he traveled all over the state to provide coverage. Even after I left Aledo, he would still text and call me to see how I was doing and talk about sports. Simply put, he was the best.”
This story was originally published September 3, 2020 at 5:10 PM.
