— By Rich Stevens, WVSWA.org
Chris Johnson’s 28 years as a professional sportswriter were driven by pride and the knowledge that his efforts brought recognition to West Virginia high school and college athletes.
His “small role” in the endeavor — his words — showed the selfless nature of Johnson, a life member of the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.
The 52-year-old Johnson, who lived in the unincorporated rural Barbour County village of Volga, died early Monday morning following a brief illness.
Johnson was in his fifth year at Connect-Bridgeport, an online news and sports outlet that focuses on North Central West Virginia; he managed a multitude of responsibilities, including breaking news stories.
Despite the transition after two decades in print media, Johnson continued his unpaid duties with the WVSWA, regularly attending its annual business meeting, and serving as All-State chairman for football and girls basketball. The former association president also was chairman of the boys basketball All-State committee from 2006-19. In 2021, he was named the 51st recipient of the Morehouse Award, given for significant contributions to journalism.
“Chris Johnson made West Virginia high school sports a personal passion and was a true journalist,” said Doug Huff, the retired former secretary-treasurer of the WVSWA. “He stepped up for the WVSWA and was always available to do the necessary work needed to make the organization successful. He will be missed by many people and I’m one of them. We had a lot in common in providing sports coverage for a statewide audience. Rest in peace, my friend.”
As newspapers furloughed employees and print media declined, Johnson voluntarily accepted more responsibilities with the WVSWA.
“I’m so incredibly grateful to Chris for everything he’s done for me personally and for statewide media as a whole,” said Michael Minnich, who joined The Exponent Telegram staff in 2016 on the insistence of Johnson, who was the newspaper’s sports editor at the time. “The hours, advocacy, and the passion he’s put into getting deserving kids attention are essential, irreplaceable, and lasting.”
Later in 1997, he was hired as a full-time member of the News and Sentinel sports department, spending four years that culminated in his becoming sports editor. Former colleague Jay Bennett said that Johnson was perpetually high spirited.
“He always had this way about him,” said Bennett, whose career spans three decades in Parkersburg. “He’s just a good guy. He’s just a dude that was always there for you, always helped, and always had sort of a smile on his face. That was Chris, and he’s gone …”
The sports editor in Clarksburg from 2010-17, Johnson also had brief stints with The Dominion Post and Buckhannon Record Delta.
He was the longtime co-host of WKMZ 103.3 FM’s Friday Free for All that focused on high school athletics.
“It’s a crushing blow to your entire community,” said Phares, whose Indians won the Class AAA state title last December while Johnson watched from his familiar location — the sideline.
“He would come into the coaching office, and it wasn’t all just business,” Phares said. “We would talk about WVU, wrestling, his daughter, the dogs … he’d be a guy who would call you up and just see how you’re doing. He knew my wife, my family, and when my dad passed away, he was one of the first people to call.”
Johnson’s greatest loves were wife Theresa, daughter Gwendolyn, pet dog Ollie, and pet cat Briscoe. He also had a fondness for Star Wars, and professional wrestling, often taking road trips for events with his daughter. He also was a fan of the Baltimore Orioles and, particularly, Cal Ripken Jr.
“Knowing the profession that we are in has lost a champion of the highest order for those he covered is difficult,” Toquinto said. “Knowing a family has lost a husband, father, and son that he poured even more of his time and love into at such a young age is a tragedy.”
In lieu of flowers, donate to an animal shelter or a children’s charity of time or money.