Funeral services wil be held today at 2 p.m. in Rome at Fred Talley's Parkview Chapel for Jim Penney, a longtime newspaperman in Rome and Cedartown.

Penney died Thursday at Emory Hospital following heart surgery last week.

Penney, 64, worked for News Publishing Company most of his four-decade career. For 14 years, he worked at the Cedartown

Standard, where he retired in 2006 as editor and publisher.

Otis Raybon, vice president for NPCO, said Penney defined community journalism.

“Jim understood how important a community newspaper is to the positive growth and quality of life of its community,” said Raybon. “He was a fine employee and good friend to all. He had many friends in Cedartown and Rome. He was a good newspaperman and a good person.”

Penney was still working part-time as a reporter for the Rome News-Tribune and on special editions such as Past Times and Prime Time.

In announcing his retirement last year, Penney said continuing part-time work in journalism would let him “stay focused on work that I enjoy, and also allow me some time to spend with my two children and granddaughter.”

Penney was a graduate of Shorter College, earning a bachelor of arts degree in history and political science in 1971. He was also a graduate of West Rome High School.

During his career, Penney covered virtually every news beat for the Rome News-Tribune, from city reporter to general assignment and features. He also worked as a copy editor.

His journalism career also included work for newspapers in Dalton and LaFayette.

Penney worked several years with the Rome City Schools in its publication office.