Pavlik leaves behind a newspaper legacy

As one of the first owners of The Journal, John Pavlik wrote his legacy with his typesetting machines. On the evening of June 16, Pavlik died in his sleep at the age of 93.

Pavlik began his career in news early, at age 15. He learned from his father, who was then the publisher of the Buffalo Express in Buffalo, North Dakota.

After serving in the Army during World War II Pavlick returned to the news business.

Pavlik started working at a newspaper in Williston, North Dakota.

There he met friend and future business partner Bruce Wilson. Both dreamed of owning their own newspaper and after Wilson’s father-in-law provided a loan as the initial investment, the dream became a reality.

Wilson and his wife relocated to Ritzville in 1947 and were quickly followed by Pavlik and his wife, Marie, in 1948. While Wilson was the Owner/Publisher of the then Journal-Times, Pavlik ran the print shop.

Marie died in 1950 and for a short time Pavlik moved away from Ritzville. He worked at the Herald in Pottstown, Philadelphia until moving five months later.

He resumed work at The Journal-Times and became actively involved in the Washington Jaycees, serving as president from 1956 to 1957.

John Pavlik married Laverne King on Nov. 9, 1957. She had been widowed with a daughter, Dorann, who Pavlik adopted. In 1958 their daughter Connie Sue was born.

Working at The Journal-Times Pavlick earned five percent ownership of the company each year until he had acquired 20 percent ownership. The 80-20 partnership is how the company would operate for many years, even after Wilson moved and purchased the Omak Chronicle.

“I managed The Journal-Times for the Wilsons until 1965 when Laverne and I purchased their shares of stock,” said Pavlik in the April 28, 1988 edition of The Journal.

In 1973 Pavlik changed the name of his newspaper to The Ritzville Adams County Journal: A name that he believed to more realistically described the area the paper served.

Even as the owner and publisher of The Journal Pavlik was an active member among the community.

He served as the president of the Lion’s Club and the chamber of commerce.

He also served a term on the school board, on the hospital’s auxiliary board and the Red Cross Advisory Board.

Pavlik continued his service to the newspaper industry by serving as president of the Washington Newspaper Publishers’ Association and was a 10 year representative from Washington State to the National Newspaper Association.

In 1986 Pavlik began to lose vision in his right eye. At the age of 67, Pavlik sold The Journal to Dee and Duane Ruser in April 1988.

He and his wife continued to live in Ritzville rather than moving to a popular retirement area like Arizona.

John Pavlik lost his wife Laverne in December 2008. He then sold his home and moved into Rose Garden Estates because of his vision problems where he lived until his death.

John Pavlik left behind a legacy of dedication to The Journal and to the community.

He is remembered for his excellent editorial content and committment to the region The Journal served during his many years on the staff.