John Komen

1936 - 2025

John Denis Komen passed away peacefully in his Mason Lake home with his "cute-as-a-button" bride, Diane; devoted daughter Michele; son-in-law David; beloved grandsons Andrew "AJ" and Owen; and treasured friend Robert "Bob" by his side.

John was born in Bellingham, Washington, on October 30, 1936 to John Edward Komen and Laura Celeste Mortimore. His childhood was, at times, difficult, but he had many fond memories of growing up with his many Dutch cousins, spending summers with his grandparents George and Susan Mortimore on the Olympic Peninsula and in the Elwah River, riding his horse around town, jumping off Whatcom Falls, breaking the windows out of his mother's hen house while pretending to be Roy Rogers, and so many more.

He graduated from Bellingham High School in 1954. He attended Western Washington University and transferred to the University of Washington where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the School of Communications in 1958.

When he was sixteen, he met the love of his life, Diane, who, at just fifteen years old at the time, declared to her friends "I'm going to marry that guy someday!" (Rumor has it hot chocolate and snowball fights were involved.) They married on July 21, 1956 and soon became parents to three children and over the years, twenty-four foster children. John and Diane recently celebrated their sixty-ninth wedding anniversary.

John's accomplished and distinguished career in journalism spanned over forty years and covered the media spectrum. While still a student at the UW, he was hired in 1957 by The Associated Press where he worked at both its Seattle and Olympia bureaus. At KAYO radio he was a news writer and a weekend disc jockey known as Johnny Dennis.

In1965, John began his thirteen-year career in broadcast journalism when he was hired as a political reporter for KOMO-TV. He subsequently held the positions of news director and news anchor.

In 1967, John became a national network news correspondent for ABC-TV in New York City. He reported on many historical events, including the presidential campaigns of Richard Nixon and Hubert Humphrey, the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, and the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy.

In 1969, John and Diane moved their family back to Seattle, when John was hired by KING-TV, where he held various positions including political reporter, assignment editor, and news anchor.

In 1976, John joined The (Tacoma) News Tribune as its chief editorial writer, serving as associate editor, managing editor, and editor over his nineteen years at the Trib.

After retiring in 1995, John and Diane moved to their "cabin" on Mason Lake. They had purchased the property in 1962 and over the years made many happy memories with friends and family there. They camped in tents and trailers; went swimming, boating, and jet-skiing on the lake; roasted hotdogs and s'mores; celebrated birthdays and anniversaries; and built a beautiful home.

Retirement was full and busy; traveling, volunteering, vacationing with friends, writing a column for the Shelton-Mason County Journal, being active members of the Mason-Benson Club and the Democrat Party of Mason County (John was a state delegate for Obama), among many other activities.

John and Diane's travels took them cross country in their little red Mazda Miata-not once, but two times! They sailed on cruises to Alaska, Panama Canal, and Russia. They visited many great cities of Europe: Amsterdam, Paris, London, Athens, Rome, Koblenz, St. Petersburg, among them.

John loved many things both simple and complex. He loved food, especially smoked salmon (thanks, Dave), Dungeness crab (thanks Ken and Joyce Caughell), sweet corn (from his and his dad's gardens), and strawberry milkshakes.

He loved all things sports: boxing (Mason County boxing, he was a ring announcer for the Golden Gloves, and met Joe Frasier at a bar!), baseball (the Mariners, autographed baseballs, and baseball cards), football (season ticket holder for both the Seahawks and Huskies).

He loved history, especially American history, the Civil War, and World War II. He loved politics, and NEVER missed voting in a single election. He loved reading books (history, biographies), newspapers, and magazines. He loved old movies, especially westerns and war/historical movies. He loved music, especially Elvis, Frank Sinatra, and Merle Haggard-seeing all three in concert. He loved casinos, Longacres, Emerald Downs (many Fathers Days), and playing lotto (he would always share his winnings).

He loved his many friends; those who he had for a lifetime (the Woodruffs, the Caughells, and many more) and those he met throughout his lifetime (the Bells, the Liljas family, the Bucks, and many more). Too many to list, so sorry, if missed.

He loved his extended and extensive family. He loved his children (born and acquired) and his grandchildren (born and acquired).

And most of all, John loved Diane. He was her staunchest supporter and greatest protector. They had a wonderful life together filled to the brim with adventure, good times, celebrations, laughter, devotion, dedication, and love.

In the last year of his life, John told his daughter, Michele, he did not want a funeral and he did not want an obituary. Respecting his wishes, he instead is being honored with a celebration of life and a memoriam. (Apologies for missing anything or anybody!).

John expressed several wishes over the last few months: He wished to stay in his home, he wished for one more summer at Mason Lake, and he wished to provide a good life for Diane. His wishes were met, with the extra bonus of the Mariners going to the playoffs!

John, you are missed terribly by those who loved you most.

John is preceded in death by his father John Edward Komen, his mother Laura Celeste Mortimore, parents-in-law George Joseph and Maybelle May LaCasse, brother Terry Lee Komen, stepsister Linda Jacoby, and stepbrother Larry DeMerice. He is survived by his wife Diane Sue Mary LaCasse, daughter Michele Diane Komen, son-in-law David Mark Nelson, grandson Andrew John "AJ" Komen Nelson, grandson Owen David Komen Nelson, foster son Michael Anthony Davis and family, foster daughter Michelle Marie Davis and family, cherished friend Robert "Bob" De La Pena and family, son Denis Lee Komen, sister Tamsen Templeman; honorary sons Mark Perkins, Nik Negranza, Craig Giles, Frank Skinner; beloved friends Alan, Sheila, and Anna Liljas; friend John "Swede" Lofsted; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family thanks Natalya, Heather, and Rianna from Above Home Health, and Abby and Esquel from Providence Hospice.

His Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 8, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Colonial House, 222 West Pine Street, Shelton, Wash., where a buffet will be served. Please bring memories and photos to share. Text/call 425-877-7312 for more information.