The launch editor of the iconic teenage magazine, Jackie, has been recognised in a generous obituary.
Gordon Small, former managing editor of women's and teenage magazines with DC Thomson, died at the age of 78.
And in the DC Thomson daily newspaper, The Courier, it is revealed that not only was he launch editor of Jackie, but also several other well-known titles.
Says the obituary: “He spent two years as a sub-editor with the People's Journal before moving to women's magazines.
“He later became chief sub-editor of teenage magazine, Romeo, and then launched and edited Jackie in 1964. The publication proved enormously successful, at its height selling more than one million copies a week.
“Mr Small became editorial manager of the teenage magazine division in 1970 and launched several papers in that market, including Blue Jeans, Patches, TV Tops, Young Americans and Etcetera.
“Later, he was involved in the launch of First Steps and Classic Stitches publications when women's magazines came under his control.
“He was also behind the publication of Classic Motorcycling Legends magazine.
“He retired in 1998.”
The obituary continued: “Mr Small had a lifelong interest in motorcycling and wrote the Biker motorcycling column for the Evening Telegraph. He was also a regular contributor to The Craigie column in The Courier.
“In 2008, he published a book on the Newport and Wormit war memorial and stories of the men it commemorates. He also wrote books about the Thomson and Leng publishing families.
“In 2009, he received the Paul Harris medallion, Rotary International's most prestigious accolade, for his work in the community. He was nominated by fellow members of the Dundee club for his work on a host of projects over 50 years, including fundraising for the Tayside cancer appeal and for Rachel House children's hospice in Kinross.”
