SHREVEPORT, La. – A Shreveport native who was a focus of national media attention for decades has died.

Tom Jarriel was born in Georgia but grew up in Shreveport. He was a proud graduate of Byrd High School, where he played baseball and tennis. After graduating in 1952, he went to the University of Houston on a tennis scholarship. He went on to earn a degree in radio and television.

Tom Jarriel Has a Long Media Career

And while in Houston, Jarriel began a career that would last more than 40 years. He started working as a photocopier at KPRC in Houston. He was a sponge. He absorbed everything he could learn while working in the TV news business. He then made the big leap and landed a job at ABC News as a correspondent for the network’s Atlanta bureau. He was one of the key reporters covering the Civil Rights Movement during this time.

Tom Jarriel was one of the few reporters Americans trusted. During his years at ABC News, he also focused on helping other young journalists learn the ropes.

Tom Jarriel Draws National Attention

Dr. He gained national attention for his coverage of Martin Luther King’s assassination.

He eventually took over the coveted role as Chief White House Correspondent, covering both presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. In 1979, he became an anchor for ABC on weekends and also signed on to report for ABC’s prime time newsmagazine, 20/20.

Jarriel is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Joan, and three sons.

Jarriel has received numerous awards for his reporting and anchoring, including ten Emmy Awards.

He was also honored in Shreveport by being elected to the Byrd High School Hall of Fame, the Northwest Louisiana Hall of Fame, and the Shreveport Walk of Stars.