Family Devastated By Pulitzer Prize Winning Oklahoman's Death

Anthony Shadid's family says they are "completely devastated" by the news of Shadid's passing.

2/16/2012 Related Story: Pulitzer Prize Winning Oklahoman Dies While Reporting In Syria

"He was the glue that held everything together," Shadid's father Buddy told News 9 Friday afternoon. "I don't know how we're going to cope with this whole thing. I never wanted him to go there to start with."

The Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and Oklahoma City native died of an apparent asthma attack while he was on assignment in Syria.

"I had nightmares this would happen. I never dreamed it would be an asthma attack. He dodged bullets and bombs and everything else," said Buddy Shadid. "I think he was simply worn out."

Buddy Shadid says his son had just returned from an assignment where he got very little sleep.

The family gathered Friday at their Nichols Hill's home but plan to leave Saturday for Beirut where they will meet up with Shadid's wife and baby. Shadid has a one and a half year old.

Buddy Shadid says they will have services there and then Anthony will be cremated and his ashes scattered at his grandparents' family home.

Shadid also has a 10-year-old daughter.

"She is just completely devastated," Buddy said.

"He was a shooting star and he died too young. He died doing what he loved to do so I guess I can at least fall on that," said Buddy at the conclusion of the interview. "He was a wonderful father, wonderful man. He was a friend to everyone he met. He was a humble person. He never realized how special he was."