Peter Daniel Litterski

Peter Daniel Litterski lived a life of faith, filled with love for his family and friends.

Pete, former editor of the Longview News-Journal, was born Aug. 7, 1953, in Chicago Heights, Illinois, the first of Daniel and Lorraine Litterski’s five sons.  He died Aug. 29, 2024, after a lengthy illness.

Pete graduated from Southport High School in Southport, Indiana. He loved the outdoors from the time he was a child, enjoying Scouting and spelunking with his father in Indiana. He also worked as a Scout camp counselor several summers in high school and college.

His love for journalism started in high school, and he wrote for his high school and college newspapers. Pete attended Indiana State University and then went on to graduate from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a degree in communications.

Then, he launched a successful, decades-long journalism career. His first job was as editor at the Osceola, Wis., Sun. He was the only journalist there and did everything, including serving as the only photographer. That’s where he developed a love for photography. His daughter Hannah shares that love.

Pete worked at newspapers in Wisconsin and Michigan, serving in just about every position possible, including writing news, features, editorials and sports stories and serving in various editing positions.

He landed in Texas in 1986 as editor of the Greenville Herald-Banner and then was editor of several newspapers in the Washington, D.C., area from 1992-1993. That’s when he moved to Texas to take the helm of the Longview News-Journal. He was editor and then senior editor until his retirement in 2010.

He and the staff’s he oversaw won multiple statewide journalism awards, for everything from editorials, to features, news stories, photography and newspaper design. Pete was always willing to coach, encourage and support young journalists.

Pete was a community volunteer and a friend to people from all walks of life. He was also a tough journalist, dedicated to using his profession to improve his community and state.

Pete loved camping, fishing and canoeing with his family at Manitoulin Island in Canada as a child, and he enjoyed fishing trips to the Gulf Coast in Texas with buddies. He also delighted in taking his grandchildren fishing in East Texas any time he could. Pete loved vacations at the family cabin in the Rocky Mountains with Margie, his daughters and parents. 

He, Margie and Lorraine loved attending local live music events in Longview.

Several years ago, after his health had started to decline, Pete wrote this letter to his daughters that summed up the joy he had for life, even through his years of illness.

“I don't obsess over life and death, but I really do take time once in a while to reflect on matters of legacy and the everlasting. In the face of my health challenges in the past couple of years I have found myself sometimes thinking about my life and the countless ways it has been blessed. The list sometimes amazes me, especially the top of the list where I find my family, my cornerstones that include your mother, my daughters (and their husbands), my grandchildren, my parents, my brothers and my friends all over this land. Moments like that renew my joy.”

Pete’s father preceded him in death. He is survived by his mother, Lorraine and his devoted wife of 50 years, Margaret. He was so excited about their 50th anniversary celebration, held on their actual anniversary on June 22, 2024, at Country Tavern in Kilgore, Texas.

He also is survived by daughter, Hannah Brooks and husband, Brian; daughter, Jessica Fields and husband, Andrew; grandchildren Trace, Parker, Audrey, Liam and Landry; brothers, Steve and wife, Shawna; Tom and wife, Trish; Paul and wife, Angie; Andy and wife, Olivia; and too many nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends to mention, but he loved them all.

A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 at St. Michael and All Angels’ Episcopal Church, 909 Reel Road in Longview, Texas. Visitation is at 10 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of floral tributes, the family appreciates donations to St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church or the NAACP of Longview, TX.

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