Larry Brinton

Born in Nashville, TN on September 8, 1930

Departed on July 25, 2019 and resided in Nashville, TN

Larry B. Brinton

Nashville - Age 88, passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2019.

Larry was born September 8, 1930 to the late Kathryn Scarborough Brinton and Reuben P. Brinton, Sr. in Nashville, Tennessee. He graduated from West End High School. He served in the US Navy on the USS Cassin Young.

Larry was married for 64 years to Rita Vigorito Brinton, who predeceased him in December 2018. He is survived by his two children, Larry B. Brinton, Jr. and wife Kathy, and Michael W. Brinton; five grandchildren: Matthew Brinton and wife Betty, Laura Oliveria and husband Geoff, Benjamin Brinton, Jackson Brinton, and Taylor Brinton; five great-grandchildren: Henry Oliveria, Lily Oliveria, Emerson Brinton, Hunter Brinton, and Brett Brinton. He is also survived by one sister, Ann Brinton Boone, numerous nieces and nephews, and beloved dog Marnie.

Larry lived his entire life in Nashville. He was hired by the late James G. Stahlman to write obituaries for Nashville Banner in 1955. Within a year, he was assigned to the police and fire beat, where he spent 14 years. He held other positions at the newspaper such as State Editor, Assistant City Editor, started the consumer information column, Help Desk, Chief Investigative Reporter, and Managing Editor.

As a reporter, he covered the Nashville sit-ins and the fatal plane crash of Patsy Cline near Camden, TN, in the 1960s and the death of Marcia Trimble in the 1970s.

In 1974, Larry obtained a confession from one of the murderers of David ‘Stringbean' Akeman and his wife Estelle shortly after they were arrested. The evidence uncovered during the interview led to both defendants being convicted of first degree murder. The murder and confessions obtained were featured on the A&E cable television network in a 1999 episode of City Confidential.

During his time as Chief Investigative Reporter, he received widespread national attention and won numerous awards for several of his investigations. In April, 1976, he was awarded the Scripts-Howard National Roy W. Hobbs Public Service Award for his investigations dealing with the misuse of donations and privileges by local charities.
Larry also played a role in the "Clemency for Cash" scandal in 1977 which revealed Tennessee Governor Ray Blanton was selling pardons and paroles. His reporting on the scandal led the Tennessee State Legislature to inaugurate Lamar Alexander a few days before his scheduled inauguration in 1977. This story turned into a book by Peter Maas named Marie, and then into a movie where Larry played himself.

He took the position of Managing Editor in 1977, and in his first year in that position, The Banner won several awards, including "Best Newspaper in Tennessee." After only short time in that role, Larry realized he was a reporter first and foremost. When the Banner was sold to a group of local investors led by Nashville lawyer John J. Hooker, Jr., he left the newspaper in 1979 to become an Investigative Reporter with WTVF-NewsChannel 5.
He worked at NewsChannel 5 for 22 years, retiring in early 2001. While at NewsChannel 5, he hosted the "Morning Line" shown on NewsChannel5 Plus, but he was best known for his "Street Talk" feature in which he shared various stories on government, local politics and the courthouse. Larry and the staff from NewsChannel 5 won an Emmy for his "Feed the Children" investigation during his time there. He spent years reporting on the Janet March murder. He was also awarded membership in the distinguished Silver Circle by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Soon after retirement in 2001, Larry became restless and greatly missed the action that came with the job. Deciding he could only fish and work in his garden so much, he realized he needed to work again. Fortunately, he was hired by WSMV Channel 4, where he stayed until January 2008. After his on-air retirement, he continued writing on Nashville crime and Nashville history in the Nashville Retrospect until 2017. He also volunteered for several years at St. Thomas Hospital.
Larry was a tenacious, old-time journalist who cared deeply about his chosen profession, and the responsibility a journalist has to its readers/viewers. He demanded perfection of not only himself, but others in the same role. By all accounts, he was tough but fair in his reporting of the news. He will be greatly missed by his friends and family.
The family would like to thank Nancy Smith, Beth Schuler, Robert Ivy, Dr. Lester Porter from Tennessee Oncology and the staff from Caris Healthcare for all of the love and concern shown to Larry. The family also wants to make a special mention of the staff and residents at NHC at the Trace for caring for him during the last 7 months of his life.
Visitation with the family will be Monday, August 5, 2019, at St. Henry Church, 6401 Harding Road, Nashville, Tennessee, from 9:00am to 11:00am. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am at the church. In lieu of flowers, Donations in the name of Larry Brinton may be made to Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 210830, Nashville, TN 37221.