WWII veteran and former executive editor for the Fresno Bee, George F. Gruner passed away Sunday, Aug.24 at the age of 99 years old.
Gruner was a part of the “Bee Four,” a group of reporters that were arrested and jailed back in 1976 for refusing to reveal their sources while reporting on a government corruption case, according to the Fresno Bee.
In total, Gruner spent 44 years in journalism with 33 of those spent rising through the ranks of the Fresno Bee.
Gruner as well as fellow Bee reporters Bill Patterson,Joe Rosato and former city editor for local news with the Bee; James Bort, were jailed in 1976 for refusing a Superior Court judge’s order to reveal sources in a government corruption case.
The “Bee Four” spent 15 days in jail and never gave up their sources.
Gruner was born 1925 in Alameda, California and attended school in Oakland. He started his career in journalism at 17 years old with the Oakland Post-Examiner, which appears to no longer be in operation.
After he was dismissed from The Post- Examiner for being too young,George went down the block and began work with the Oakland Tribune, according to an article published by the Merced Sun-Star.
Gruner entered the army at 18 years old and served under General George Patton for a short time during World War II. He also witnessed the early stages of The Battle of the Bulge.
After the war, Gruner returned to the field of journalism and to the Oakland Tribune where he became a reporter.
When Gruner retired, he wrote three books on California and the Central Valley’s military effort during World War II.
According to the Fresno State website, the George F. Gruner awards have been held in his honor annually since 1989.
These awards are given for “Meritorious Public Service in Journalism,” and to “recognize outstanding community service in newspaper journalism in the central San Joaquin Valley.”
Gruner himself attended every awards banquet dinner until the end of his life. During these banquets, he was known to make fiery speeches about the importance of seeking and reporting the truth.
According to Gruner during one of these speeches, he called on all reporters to remember that they are the “essential tool in the delivery of truth.”
The Bee reported that Gruner was preceded in death by his wife Irene and is survived by his son, Richard Gruner and his two granddaughters.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 26 in the Tolladay Theater at the Terraces in San Joaquin Gardens.
