Death Notice: Jim Fienup, publisher of the Spiro Graphic

Longtime Spiro Graphic Publisher James F. Fienup, 81, passed away on June 4, 2021, in Spiro, Okla.

A private family service will be held in St. Louis, Missouri.

The veteran news reporter and writer worked in the newspaper industry for 54 years, dating back to 1967.

Jim earned degrees in Journalism and Communications from The University of Oklahoma. As a student intern, Jim covered the JFK assassination in Dallas, Texas, in November of 1963.

In 1967 Jim was a reporter for the Russell, Kansas Daily News. He interviewed Presidential candidate Bob Dole, in person, one-on-one.

In November of 1994, Jim purchased the Spiro Graphic and made Spiro his home for the last 27 years. Under his leadership, The Spiro Graphic expanded coverage into the Panama, Pocola, Arkoma, Cameron, Keota, Shady Point and Bokoshe communities.