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John Komen Obituary
John's accomplished and distinguished forty-year journalism career began in 1957, when he worked for The Associated Press and as a DJ at KAYO Radio.
In 1965, John joined KOMO-TV, where he was a political reporter, news director, and an anchorman.
In 1967, John became a national network news correspondent for ABC-TV in New York. He reported many historical events, including the presidential campaigns of Richard Nixon and Hubert Humphrey, the 1968 Democratic National Convention, and the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy.
In 1969, John joined KING-TV, where he was a political reporter, assignment editor, and news anchor.
In 1976, John joined The (Tacoma) News Tribune where he held positions as chief editorial writer, associate editor, managing editor, and editor.
To read more about John and sign his guestbook go to obituaries.seattletimes.com or masoncounty.com/section/in_memoriam.
John's Celebration of Life is Sat., Nov. 8, 1-4 p.m. at the Colonial House, 222 W Pine Street, Shelton.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Komen
Sponsored by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home & Crematory - Shelton.
CHERYL TUCKER
November 13, 2025
My condolences to Diane and the rest of the family. I had the privilege of working with John at The News Tribune - back when it was fun to work at a newspaper. I fondly remember him taking the editorial writers out to lunch at Silk Thai and saying, "Go ahead and order a glass of wine. I want one too!"
-30-
Myrna
November 3, 2025
I'm so sorry to hear of Denney's passing Diane. It's been years since we last talked, you've had a wonderful life together. Bless you and your family.
Don (Jerry) Pugnetti Jr.
November 2, 2025
Diane, Michele & Family: Wendy and I are deeply saddened to learn of John's passing, and I regret losing contact over the years. John was a friend, boss, colleague, mentor, and advisor. He was a dear, dear friend to my dad and joined him in leading The News Tribune's newsroom when newspaper journalism was in its heyday. In my eyes, John was a giant of a man who made such a difference in my life and career as well as so many others. Wendy reminded me that John also wrote a reference letter that helped get her into law school (she continues to hold her state bar membership in retirement). We are comforted in knowing that John's was a life well lived and he achieved so much--not only professionally, but also with you, Diane, in loving and caring for those who needed a home. I believe strongly that he and dad will be having coffee together and resuming watching Monday Night Football games together from above. With deep regret, we will be traveling and unable to attend his Celebration of Life. But we send all the love we can muster to you and your entire family. Jerry & Wendy Pugnetti
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Verlaine Thon Van Horn
November 1, 2025
John, known in earlier days as Denis, was tutored and acquired a love for journalism, as protege of teacher Helen Hostetter at Whatcom Junior HS in Bellingham, Washington. As editor of "Whatcom Next," a mimeographed newsletter, he visited the Bellingham Herald newspaper office, attended a press conference in Seattle presented by a national broadcaster at the University of Washington school of journalism. As early as 1951, Denis was predicted to become a big town newspaper editor. He fulfilled that future and more.
Ann Martin (Annice Siver Martin)
October 31, 2025
I remember John from being in class 's with him at Bellingham High School, class of 1954.
Jerry Anderson
October 31, 2025
John was a household name for news and his integrity and honesty made him our news anchor friend
Lloyd A Ludtke
October 29, 2025
A life well lived and a class act he was
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