Tampa Bay Times outdoors editor Terry Tomalin died Thursday after suffering a heart attack, the newspaper is reporting.

  • Tomalin, 55, a graduate of USF,  joined the Tampa Bay Times in 1986
  • Tomalin's stories took readers on adventures throughout the state

According to the Times, Tomalin had been at the North Shore pool in St. Petersburg with his 14-year-old son Kai earlier in the day. The two were taking a life guarding class.

Tomalin collapsed and never regained consciousness, according to his family.

"We are devastated," said his wife, St. Petersburg Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin. "He loved us. He loved his family so much and we loved him. We miss him already."

Tomalin joined the Tampa Bay Times in 1986 as a police reporter. After a brief departure from the Times to backpack through New Zealand and Australia, he returned to the newspaper, at which time he was named outdoors editor.