Tennessean biz reporter Ward dies at 45

Getahn Ward, a longtime business reporter at The Tennessean and instructor at Tennessee State University, died Saturday at the age of 45 after a short illness.

Joey Garrison and Nate Rau of The Tennessean write, “Ward, who joined The Tennessean in 1998 after previously working at the shuttered Nashville Banner, was a bulldog of a reporter, most recently on the real estate beat. He was dogged and relentless in his craft, more than happy to pester his sources or tick off PR professionals — ‘flacks,’ he called them — if it meant landing a scoop.

“He loved every part about reporting a story, especially when it meant prying information he wasn’t supposed to know.

“Ward resided in Southeast Nashville and was active across the city, particularly at his church, Born Again Church on West Trinity Lane, where he was a deacon and frequently posted videos of services on social media.

“He was known for his unselfishness and generosity, and for going out of his way to help his friends. He was a devoted mentor, this year driving the son of single mother to school each morning because he had no other ride.”

Read more here.