Longtime news Anchor Gene Patterson is getting shown the door at WATE in Knoxville.  

Patterson has been with the station since 2001 and previously worked at WBIR, Channel 10, in the 1990s.

Contacted Thursday, Patterson said that he was surprised at the decision not to keep him at the station, but “it’s just part of the business.”

“Life is full of changes and this is just another one,” said Patterson.

Patterson said he hopes to find another opportunity in the area.

On Thursday, WATE general manager Dean Littleton praised Patterson.

“Gene is a great journalist and I’ll miss working with him,” said Littleton.

Ok course he won't miss him enough to keep him on the payroll.

Patterson signs off in December. 

H/T KnoxNews.com