Watch: Saying goodbye to a KOMO legend

I was one of the luckly ones in knowing Bryan Johnson at Centralia Junior College in the late 1950's and in having him call me as a state employee when he was seeking info or stats for a story -- I had a crush on him then and have one now, as I wish him well in his retirement.  I hope every day is a Saturday for him!

Happy retirement and have a blessed holiday Season

Best wishes to you, Bryan.  I will miss your face in the courthouse tunnel, your voice on the air (hey, how many of you out there remember the 7:45 morning reports in the seventies!), your keen analyses, your way with words.  These youngsters just don't know how to cover the news.  With your greatly deserved retirement, we really do end an era at Fisher Broadcasting.  Election nights in particular will never be the same.  Now. go fishing.

Congrats Mr. Johnson.  Thanks for the great reporting. On a sad note what a terrible tragedy for Joel Connable the brand new Komo anchor who passed away this week. Has KOMO mentioned this on this web site? They did briefly mention it on the news.   http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ex-miami-anchorman-found-dead-39-article-1.1199299

Oh no!!!  I realize everyone has to retire but not you!!!  I certainly hope you will come back for a visit and bring us election numbers.  You do it best of all!!!   You are going to be missed. 

Enjoy your retirement but just know we will miss you.

First the weatherman (whose name I cant remember), Larry Nelson and now Bryan Johnson. The days of familiar voices and faces are over You will be missed.

Congrats on your retire, Mr. Johnson! Enjoy it and if you ever get bored, us viewers wouldn't mind seeing a story from you every now and then! You are one of my favorite reporters and I am sad to see you go.

Thank you for the great news, Mr. Johnson.  You are appreciated. :)

Enjoyed seeing his many looks over the years, his Johny Cash pompadour of the late 50's, his longish hair in the late 60's and 70's and even his (gawd what was I thinking) loose permed Afro sometime in the 80's? He always looked neat and tidy and he never sweated before the cameras( unlike some reporters whom I won't mention by name here), he was always professional and prepared before he came on camera. His style of reporting is a dying art  as a new generation of fancy haircuts and sound bites replace the serious professionalism wee came to expect in decades past.

  So long Bryan Johnson. your retirement feels like another nail in my coffin, proof you cannot go home again

and the only thing constant in life is change. Your absence will be felt by many, myself included.

Hope you take advantage of your retirement years and fulfill every fantasy on your bucket list.

  Farewell and best wishes,  Joe Dollinter  Seattle

Always appreciated Bryan Johnson's report. He is very professional and easy to understand.

I was watching election coverage the other night, and Dan made a comment about how neither candidate for Governor supported the marijuana initiative, to which Bryan replied with "that's probably because neither of them have probably ever smoked". Dan followed it up with "Well maybe not inhaled". I laughed so hard. We're going to miss you BJ!

I did not know Bryan Johnson was born somewhere in the United Kingdom until the age of 13, when Bryan Johnson and his family moved to the United States. I wish him the best of luck on his retirement.

Sorry to see you go Bryan.  Your integrity and commitment to your craft will be sorely missed. I hope your retirement is worthy of one so classy.

Dear Brian,

I actually got a bit chocked up tonight when I saw your leaving the broadcasting at KOMO.  You don't know me Brian but you've been to my house for many years and on a very sad and special event in my life.  On the 23rd of June in 2005 you were in Port Orchard covering the story of the death of my younger brother Al, shot to death at his store.  I'm happy that tho this is something that I still bear to this day, your coverage made me feel that you really cared and eased the moment if just a little.  To this day and those days events are forever burned into my mind, but the one thing that stands above the rest is the compassion that you had in your heart and wore on your face those days, you are one of a kind.  Thank you Brian, to this day and many years prior to that day you were a guest in my house, I will miss you...Steve Kono

In one of my "former lives" I wanted to be a news reporter.  Since I grew up watching ABC News and KOMO TV, there were three people I knew I could count on: Peter Jennings, Kathi Goertzen, and you, Mr. Johnson.  You were there to not only tell a story and share information, but also interact with your community and revel in the craft you loved so much - all with a touch of class and true professionalism.  You presented the truth with fairness, honesty, and integrity... bringing old-school journalism into our homes - even occasionally peppered with a little humor! 

 

While I'm heartbroken that you're calling it a career at KOMO, please know that your work over the years made a difference, inspiring many people of many ages to seek the truth and be faithful to their calling - whatever that calling is.  Enjoy your retirement, sir... even though I suspect that, being the inquisitive person you are, you'll continue to find things to learn about and you'll still have stories to tell - to your kids, grand kids, friends, neighbors, strangers... anyone who will listen to you...

 

Congratulations!!!

Oh that closing was a trademark just like Kathi's wave. I'm glad he ended with a great line the other night that just made me laugh. "Guess it's true. The "bluest" skies you've ever seen are in Seattle!" Wish I could've met him last year on Dan Lewis's KOMO tour.

Congratulation Bryan! We have enjoyed watching you so much. It won't be the same without you, "Bryan Johnson, KOMO 4 News!"  We love it.

Bryan, I'm wishing you joy in your retirement. I have enjoyed your reporting for many years. It won't be the same without you!

Bryan here is hoping you have a happy and fulfilling retirement.  Thanks for the memories KOMO.  Big BIG shoes to fill.

What a great man, he will be missed!

I remember Bryan Johnson even before he came to KOMO. He was a newcaster on my hometown station KELA, Centralia/Chehalis, and I was a sophomore at Centralia High School when he left for KOMO with the blessings of Joe Chytil of KELA to seek something bigger and better, which Bryan did!  I grew up listening to him, and after I became a teacher in the Edmonds School District, I saw him at school board meetings.  I have been a fan of his as long as I can remember listening to the news.  Enjoy your retirement, Mr. Johnson!! You have earned it and I will miss you as will all your colleagues at KOMO!

You will be very much missed Bryan- enjoy your retirement and see ya at Costco!!!!!

Pretty short see ya article KOMO.  Best of all to you Mr. Johnson.  Health, happiness and love.

 

One last request. 

 

Can you take Schram with you?

The best of everything to you Bryan! Thank you for your many years of faithful service, keeping us all informed. You're a true journalist and I don't think things will be the same without you.

 

I bid you well!

Congratulations Bryan! I have watched KOMO for at least 30 yrs now and have enjoyed all of your reports. God bless you and wish you the best in your retirement.

I pretty much switched over from King to Komo several months ago and have to say I've really developed an appreciation for Bryan Johnson.  I'll miss seeing his reports on your news shows.

Thank you Brian for your years of commentary,   Happy Retirement,  ( KOMO viewer since 1978)

He's one of the last remaining of a breed of honest newsmen. The younger people could aspire to be like him. Hope he enjoys every day of his retirement.

Bryan, god bless you and good luck in your future ahead. You brought us so much joy and information throughout the years and you are one of the best. You will be missed. Enjoy your retirement Bryan. Job well done

Bryan, you were one of the best. You will be greatly missed. Have an awesome retirement. You set a great example of what journalism is all about. Wishing you the best.

Congratulation Brian, You will be missed. I have grown up watching you my entire life. You are a true journalist. Good luck and enjoy.. 

Have a happy, fun and great retirement Brian, always watched you on KOMO TV.

Bryan, I have enjoyed and learned a great deal over the years from your news reporting. You were able to report the news in an ethical and unbiased way. I have always appreciated that. Always a man who could pick out a nice tie! Have busy and blessed retirement.

Hey Brian - have a great retirement!  I always loved watching you on the news.

I read this "hearing" his voice.  Too funny,  I wish you all the best, enjoy your freedom! 

Although KOMO had been transmitting color TV for years, our TV was not color.  We watched him

at home on an old black and white that generated enough heat to keep the living room warm.  The

TVs of that era used tubes, lots of them, verses an up and coming new technology called the transistor.

KING TV was "first in the NW", but KOMO was the first in the NW to transmit some of their programs

in color.  I used to watch KOMO in color on my aunt's TV.

Congratulations Bryan on you retirement.  You presence on TV was appreciated and you will be

missed.

Bryan - You have been part of our family for many, many years.  You are an amazing journalist who kept it simple, but factual.  I am saddened to see you go, but I want to wish you well in your next endeavor.  You will be missed.  God bless you and your family!!

Congratulations!  You definitely will be missed.

Best wishes to you and your wife in your retirement Bryan. You will be greatly missed on the screen!!

Congratulations on your retirement, Bryan, we will miss you! 

I grew up watching him, you will be greatly missed, please enjoy your time with your family and friends. And we will all miss those last words of all your news stories "Bryan Johnson KOMO 4 News" .

Whaaaaaaat????? NOOOOOoooooooooooo!!!!!

 

Dude, you're one of my Fave's!! Been watching since....since I was Born, quite literally. My family ALL watches KOMO, more or less, exclusively!! I'm gettin' kinda Emo over here, dang!!!

 

I LOVE your style and delivery, Brian. When I watched your stores, your Voice was comforting (I knew a BJ story was on from the other room)  and I always felt I heard a "complete" story, if that makes sense. :)

 

You have definitively earned your Retirement!! I hope you get to enjoy the Northwest, even more so now that you have more free time. You are a Man to be Admired....

 

THANK YOU for Hangin' with us!! Every City should be so Lucky! Muah!!!

Watched you in the 80s and 90s, happy retirement.

God bless you, Brian.........do something fun every day!

Wow, lived through alot and changes in TV and the community. 

Best of luck to you Bryan!  I've always enjoyed watching you over the years and wish you lots of happiness in your retirement.   You're a class act!

Always trusted your reporting. You came to my work place on an assignment and you were as gracious, professional, and respectful as we all had imagined you to be...thank you for your integrity and gentlemanship. Wishing you a retirement as wonderful as you are! Party on!

What a great legacy he leaves. Have a long and happy retirement. Thank you for all your years of service to us, the public.

Bryan Johnson is part of the woodwook at KOMO...He can't leave!  What will we do without seeing his great reporting?  It's a sad day for all of us!  From our household to yours Mr. Johnson, we wish you a happy and successful retirement.  You will be missed kind sir~!

God speed, Mr. Johnson.  May you have many safe, happy and healthy retirement years.