Robert "Bob" Ray Johnson was a lifetime resident of the Rogue Valley. Born on September 11, 1948, he passed away surrounded by family in Redding, California on September 17, 2012 at the age of 64.
Bob, an avid Oregon Duck fan and graduate of the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications, is known by most for his years as owner/operator of KTMT, KCMX and KMFR, his active support in the community and his avid collecting of antique phonographs. Bob is credited with bringing rock and roll to the FM airwaves in the Rogue Valley after he and his wife, Karen, "flipped the switch" from easy listening to Top 40 music on KTMT-FM in the late 80's. He also brought to the valley KTMT's morning radio show The Morning Zoo. Bob was stationed in Germany during Vietnam where he served in the Army's tank brigade. He was a past member of the Rotary Club and University Club, Friends of the Fair Foundation and the Jackson County Fair Board. He was also instrumental in the fundraising campaign to Save Mt. Ashland. After retiring in 1996, Bob spent most of his time enjoying life. Never idle, he traveled, raced in the sand on his side-by-side, water skied, white water rafted, kayaked, paddle boarded and rebuilt and collected antique phonographs. Bob became ill after a week long family vacation on Lake Shasta; an annual family tradition where he was spending time doing the things he enjoyed most, with the people he loved. He will forever be cherished by his wife, Karen; daughters Kelly and Kerry; son, Brian; sister, Judy; brother, Gary and a long list of amazing friends that he considered family. A Celebration of Life will be held at the U.S. Hotel Ballroom on California Street in Jacksonville (adjacent to the Jacksonville Inn) on September 29 from 11am - 2pm. In lieu of flowers please send a donation to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, designated for septic shock (http://www.nfid.org/donate) or donate blood at a local blood bank. _______________________________________________ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.org
