James Ash
James Ash
James Ash
James Ash
James Ash
James Ash

Obituary of James Mark Ash

James Mark Ash, of Olympia, Washington, 72, passed away on October 8, 2021.  He fought a good fight against the many health problems he had faced over the years.

Mark was born on May 16, 1949, to Mary Phillips Ash and Joseph Addison Ash in Burlington, Washington. He was the second child born to Mary and Joseph.  He grew up adventuring in Concrete, Washington, and attended schools there.

During his high school years, his family moved to Sumner, Washington.  It was during this time that he met Donna Lee Swartz.  They dated during high school, and later married and had four children together.  After several years of marriage, they divorced.

Mark worked for many years at Hardel Lumber in Olympia, where he was a share owner.  Later, he had a career as an inmate supervisor at McNeil Island, where he helped administer a work experience training agricultural program.  He had many useful skills (“jack-of-all-trades”) and a strong work ethic, which allowed him to remain gainfully employed as long as his health would allow.

He loved his family.  He loved nature and wildlife, and the outdoors, and had a breadth of knowledge on the subject.  He would often take opportunities with his children and grandchildren to pass on this knowledge.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, hobby farming, gun collecting, and visiting with his grandchildren.  Whenever any of his grandchildren came to visit, his eyes would always light up.

Mark was friendly to all, and could strike up a conversation with anyone he met.  Due to this affinity for people, it was often said of him that he never met a stranger.

He was afflicted with a learning disability, which manifested itself at a young age, and prevented him from ever fully learning to read or write.  However, he never let it keep him down, and, perhaps, it might be said that it even became a sort of strength to him, as he pushed himself forward, learning to work hard, and develop skills in many other areas.

During his 30s, Mark began to experience serious health problems due to a calcified mass in his brain.  This, along with many surgeries, infections, and complications, forced him into medical retirement, and contributed to the early onset of dementia later in life.

Three years ago, he experienced a stroke and two heart attacks in short succession, which resulted in a bleak prognosis by doctors.  He was placed on end-of-life care by healthcare administrators.  However, ever the fighter, ever unyielding, he pushed forward.  He’d been going against the grain his entire life.  He wasn’t about to stop now.  He was eventually taken off of end-of-life care.  And he would often boast that he was going to live to 110.  Well, we often thought that he might be right.

He is survived by his four children, Deborah Keese (John), Christopher Ash (Hope), Amanda Cheney (Christian), and Rebecca Rodriguez; 16 grandchildren; and two siblings, Susan Huels and Phillip Ash.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mark made friends wherever he went. He is loved very much and will be missed.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at the Emmanuel Bible Fellowship Church, 2508 State Ave. NE, Olympia, WA 98506.  Casual dress is requested.

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