Ziggy creator Tom Wilson Sr. dies at age 80

Ziggy creator Tom Wilson Sr. dies at age 80:

Ziggy creator Tom Wilson Sr. dies at age 80

Tom Wilson Sr., the creator of the hard-luck comic strip character Ziggy, has died, his family said Monday. He was 80.

Tom Wilson Jr., who took over the comic in 1987, said his father died Friday of pneumonia at a Cincinnati hospital. The elder Wilson had moved from Cleveland to a Cincinnati nursing home about eight years ago to be near his family, his son said.

Wilson was an artist at American Greetings card company in Cleveland for more than 35 years and first published Ziggy in a 1969 cartoon collection, "When You're Not Around."

Ziggy was launched in 15 newspapers in 1971 and now appears in more than 500 daily and Sunday newspapers. It also has appeared in books, calendars and greeting cards. (Continue reading this story).

I grew up with Ziggy. I used to have a Ziggy poster on my wall and even slept in a Ziggy nightgown. I understand the cartoon will still be around but it is still a sad day. I wonder if Mr. Wilson really knows how many lives he touched? May he rest now and always be remembered fondly.