Wes Sullivan, 86, editor and civic activist

SALEM, Ore. — J. Wesley "Wes" Sullivan, a longtime Statesman Journal editor, has died at age 86.

Mr. Sullivan worked for 56 years at the Salem newspaper and its predecessor, The Oregon Statesman. He also was an editorial writer and columnist. He retired in 1986 but continued as a weekly columnist until 2002.

Mr. Sullivan was a World War II veteran and led efforts to build a city hall, library and central fire station in Salem. He served as chairman of the civic-center campaign that began in 1968.

His family said Mr. Sullivan died Sunday in Palm Springs, Calif. He suffered a massive hemorrhage days after surgery to increase the blood flow to his brain.

His son, David Sullivan, said his father left the world as he had lived his life, in a quiet and dignified manner.

"There was no one that I ever have met that made for a better role model, so if I could even approach the standard that he set in my life, then I will believe that I have done real well," David Sullivan said.

Phyllis Stewart knew Wes Sullivan for 44 years and attended services with him at First Presbyterian Church in Salem, where he served as a Sunday-school teacher.

She said Mr. Sullivan "was just a leader, and anything that he touched, whether it was the church or the city or his work at the Statesman Journal, just turned to gold."

Former First Presbyterian pastor Rob Elder said Mr. Sullivan always saw the best in everyone.

"He was quite a man," Elder said.