1954-55 W.R. Beaumier Lufkin Daily News

W.R. Beaumier, 77th president, was born on Oct. 7, 1906, in Hallettsville.

He began his career in 1924 as a sports writer for the San Antonio Express. In 1925 he became news editor for the Galveston Tribune. In 1935 he joined the Beaumont Enterprise and later transferred to the Beaumont Journal.

Beaumier left the newspaper field in 1938 to work as a chamber of commerce executive in Beaumont. In 1941 he moved to Lufkin to manage the chamber of commerce. In April 1943 he became vice president and general manager of the Lufkin News.

He also served as president of Texas Daily Newspaper Association, North and East Texas Press Association (1951-52), Texas Gulf Coast Press Association (1952-53) and UPI Editors’ Association. He also served on the Advisory Council of the University of Texas School of Journalism.

Twice during a three-year period, Beaumier was awarded the George Washington Honor Medal by the Freedom Foundation.

In 1929 he married Mary, and they had one daughter. Beaumier died Sept. 1, 1965.