Longtime FOX13 reporter Tom Dees dies at 57

Tom Dees, the longest-tenured member of the FOX13 News team, died Thursday at the age of 57.

FOX13 announced the news Thursday evening. Dees, who would have turned 58 on Feb. 11, joined FOX13 in the fall of 1995 and was well known for his coverage of Desoto County and North Mississippi. He had a long-running “Tom DEESOTO County” segment.

“Over the last several years Tom was a multimedia journalist (MMJ), which is also known in the TV business as a one-man-band. That meant he typically crisscrossed North Mississippi by himself often turning a couple stories a day,” the FOX13 statement said. “Those stories were almost always filled with the real people of the region, who the stories impacted most. It was easy for Tom to find those real people, because he was one himself. In an industry known for big personalities and egos, there was no pretense to Tom Dees. Each day he put on a white dress shirt, khakis and big belt buckle and headed out in his news car to serve his community.”

Dees went to college at Mississippi State, graduating in 1987.

Journalists from throughout the area tweeted their condolences Friday.

“So sorry to hear of this loss,” Jim Spiewak, a Salt Lake City KUTV reporter, tweeted. “Tom was a colleague for 3 years. Always smiling, always laughing. RIP Dees.”

Dees was married to his wife, Cathy, and had three children, Amelia, Ally and Austin. In January, Ally Dees created a Gofundme to raise money for Dees as he was recently hospitalized and had been diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).

“My dad has spent the past 25 years being the best father me and my two siblings could have asked for,” Ally Dees wrote on the Gofundme page. “We have had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful people in the Mid-south community because of him, and we have absolute faith that this community will rally to support him during this time.”

As of Feb. 10, the fundraiser has raised more than $35,000.

“To know Tom Dees was to love him. A man with a million questions his passion for the Mid-south personally and professionally was endearing and admirable,” the FOX13 written statement said. “He was a tireless and loyal friend and colleague. He was quick with a selfdeprecating quip (usually about his hair, or lack thereof) and could always bring a smile to those around him. He will be missed by all who knew him.”

Coleman Funeral Home of Olive Branch is handling arrangements, which are pending.

Gina Butkovich covers Desoto County, storytelling and general news. She can be reached at 901-232-6714 or on Twitter @gigibutko.