John Vass, Jr., longest-serving current employee of the Chattanooga Times Free Press, to retire

Monday, May 5, 2014

photo John Vass, Jr.
photo John Vass Jr. in his earlier days.

John Vass, Jr., the web editor of the Chattanooga Times Free Press, will retire May 23.

Vass is the longest-serving current employee of the Chattanooga Publishing Company. He started as a teenager in 1965 as a cub reporter, writing obituaries and covering the police beat.

He went on to become business editor of the paper before being named web editor in 2011.

"I feel good about the paper, the website, and the people I've worked with who are continuing here," Vass said. "I'm counting on them welcoming me back in to visit."

The Times Free Press has been a major part of his life, and where he made friendships with Buddy Houts and J.B. Collins.

"It was the place that I announced my engagement to Chris Sherrill with Roy McDonald giving it a favorable nod," he said. "It's also where I announced I was fighting cancer, and in each case the paper and its people have been totally supportive."

After nearly 49 years at the newspaper, Vass' retirement precedes his 67th birthday, June 13.