Edd Alonzo Burch

Title: Edd Alonzo Burch
Description: Edd Burch was the owner, publisher, and editor of The Greer Citizen from 1942 until his death in 1985. He also started and operated Greer radio station WEAB.
Occupation: Newspaper Editor
Biographical Text: Burch began his newspaper career as a young reporter in Georgia. In 1942 he bought the Greer Citizen and was editor until his death in 1985.

A native of Eastman, Ga., he grew up as a farm boy plowing fields with mules. He began his career as associate editor of The Bartow Herald in Cartersville, Ga. from 1931 to 1936, and editor of The Dalton Citizen in Dalton, Ga. from 1937 to 1942.

Tup Lucas, a former owner and editor of The Greer Citizen, re-bought the paper in May 1942 and hired Edd Burch as publisher and editor to start on June 1, 1942. The Greenville News reported that Lucas would "remain connected with the weekly in another capacity." On June 11 the Walterborough, S. C. Press and Standard reported that Lucas had sold the Seneca Journal and moved back to Greer to "resume management of the Greer Citizen" and that he had "found a new editor" for the paper — referencing Burch. In May, 1943, a Greenville News article calls Lucas the former owner of the Greer Citizen; by that time Lucas had sold the paper to Burch. A June, 1974 article says that Burch purchased it in June 1942, but that may be confusing the time he started work there and the time he purchased the paper. In any case, Burch purchased it some time between June 1942 and April 1943.

When Edd Burch became publisher and editor in 1942, circulation had dropped to 1,400. By 1976 the circulation had grown to 8,500, and by the 1990s was more than 10,000. Under his leadership, the Citizen thrived; it received numerous press awards, and in 1983 and 1984 it was named "Best Weekly" by the South Carolina Press Association. He was editor and publisher until his death on Aug. 7, 1985.

His sons Walter and Leland Burch assumed management when their father died in August of 1985; Leland was named editor. Leland had joined the newspaper staff as news editor after graduating from Wofford College in 1961, and Walter joined as advertising manager after graduating from Presbyterian College and serving two years of active duty in the U.S. Army; he became the general manager.

In 1949, Burch partnered with W. R. Frier to start a radio station in Greer, WEAB. It went live on June 15, 1949. Burch soon purchased out Frier's interest to become sole owner of WEAB, and purchased a building to house the offices and studio. WEAB content naturally followed Burch's interests. As a journalist, he brought a daily morning police report direct from the police station and general newscasts every half hour. As a huge fan of Greer High School Football, WEAB broadcast all their games — along with Clemson football and car racing. John Salter bought an interest in the station in 1976 and then bought full ownership in 1978.

Burch was deeply involved in the Greer community; he served on numerous boards and committees. He was a director of the Bank of Greer. He was chairman of Greer Relief 1943-1945 and president of the Chamber of Commerce 1946-1947; in 1984 he was recognized as the Chamber's Small Businessman of the Year. He served a term as president of the South Carolina Press Association. He was on the Greenville County Library board for more than 20 years, and served as chairman in the 1960s. He was a president of the Greer Lion's Club, where he was member for more than 50 years. The Greer Sertoma Club awarded him the Service To Mankind Award in 1976. His lifelong support of Greer High School football was recognized with the posthumously-awarded Phil Clark Lifetime Achievement Award. The Greer Relief and Resources Agency established the Edd Burch Award for community service in his honor, which they have given to outstanding recipients. In February, 1987, Senator Ernest Hollins introduced legislation in congress to name the Greer post office after Edd Burch.

State Senator J. Verne Smith said "Edd was always a good community citizen and a strong supporter of his home town." Author Joada Hiatt wrote that Edd Burch had more influence on Greer than any other citizen. According to his son Leland, he was the champion of the common man and never backed away from a cause in which he believed.
Bibliography: Belcher, Ray, and Joada P. Hiatt.
Legendary Locals of Greer, South Carolina. Arcadia Publishing, 2012.
Relation: The Greer Citizen; Photograph of Edd Burch, 1958