By Alabama Public Radio
Tuscaloosa, AL – A decorated journalist and a leader in Alabama's constitutional reform efforts has passed away at the age 54.
Dr. Bailey Thomson, an associate professor of journalism at the University of Alabama, died November 26th of a heart attack while fighting a grass fire near his home in Tuscaloosa. Thomson was an editorial page editor for the Mobile Register from 1993 until 1995. He also served as business editor and features editor for the newspaper. In 1994, Thomson was honored as a finalist for the 1994 Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing. He joined the UA faculty full time in 1997. Thomson was also a commentator for Alabama Public Radio.
Last October, Thomson was elected chairman of Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform. Thomson is also one of the group's founders. ACCR advocates rewriting parts of Alabama's 1901 constitution.
Dewey English, managing editor of the Mobile Register, called Thomson "the strongest champion for social justice in his generation of Alabama journalists."
Thomson is survived by his wife, Kristi, and daughter, Sarah.
Thomson was buried Saturday at Franconia Cemetery in Aliceville, where he was born. A memorial service was held at 2 p.m., Sunday, at the First Presbyterian Church on Greensboro Avenue in Tuscaloosa.