Mark Andrew Jarshaw, lovingly referred to by his family as, his royal highness, Mark-San, and Uncle Mumbles, 62, of Olympia Washington, passed away on September 22, 2022, at Providence Saint Peter hospital. Sadly, he spent the last eight weeks of his life under hospital care after suffering three ischemic strokes followed by a COVID-19 infection, pneumonia, and septic shock.
Mark was born on October 24th, 1959, in Alameda, California to Alfred & Kathleen Jarshaw. He was the youngest of three children and was the only boy. During his youth he spent time living in places such as Puerto Rico and Japan while his father was in the US Navy. His mother would proudly share stories about how Mark taught himself to understand and speak Japanese by watching Japanese television and how people would sometimes stop their family while walking in town and ask to take pictures of Mark because of the uniqueness of his ultra-platinum blonde hair and bright blue eyes.
Mark graduated from North Thurston High School in 1978. He later became a working share holder for Hardel Lumber Company and married his sweetheart, Rebecca Pagel, on St. Patrick’s Day in 1999.
Mark was known by everyone as quite a simple man. He did not care about the way he dressed, having the best of everything, or impressing others, but he sure did have the biggest heart around. He adored his mother and for many years, until her death, he chauffeured her around to medical appointments, shopping, family & friend get togethers, local casinos to get in some fun and to her weekly Catholic church services since she never obtained a driver’s license of her own. In general, Mark never failed to do what he could to help others and always had a funny joke to share with anyone who would listen. Mark despised onions. In fact, his mother would sometimes cut up an onion and place pieces of it on top of tinfoil or Saran wrap covered leftovers that she did not want eaten quickly because she knew he would refuse to touch what was in the dish even though the onion was on the outside. Mark also disliked negative thinking. He was most content being surrounded by positively and would frequently chant to others the phrase, “Happy thoughts, happy thoughts” when discussions or situations started to become dark. Mark was a big softy for animals. He once had a Dalmatian named Cleo, and when she passed away, he wrapped her up in one of his dad’s expensive hunting sleeping bags and buried her with food, water and a flashlight as could not bear the thought of her being cold, hungry, or left alone in the dark. Prior to Mark’s death he spent his days doting on his latest fur-pups, Jake & Millie. Mark was a great cook and always prepared large spreads for his extended family & friends during the holidays. In addition to spending time with his wife and cooking, he cherished hanging out with his high school best friend, Jim Weber, enjoying a good cup of coffee with his sister Colleen, having long distance phone call catch-ups with his sister Linda, hanging out with his great nephew, Sawyer, reading The Daily Olympia, sharing beautiful scenic photos he found online with his social media friends, riding around on his motor-bike, eating a tasty elk or deer steak, watching Fox News or Judge Judy and of course fishing at his favorite fishing spot he liked to call “Lake Can’tell/Lake Can’tshare”. Mark will be missed deeply and remembered fondly for his caring nature and oh so quick-witted one-liners.
Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred & Kathleen Jarshaw. He is survived by his wife Rebecca Jarshaw; his stepsons, Josh Saunders, Jack Saunders (Daryl) and Thomas Logan; his sisters, Colleen (Herb) Leavitt, Linda (Jim) Moderski; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and great nieces & nephews.
Mark’s final resting place will be with his beloved parents at Mills & Mills Memorial Park in the Honor Garden. A graveside interment will be held on Saturday October 15, 2022, at noon with a celebration of life reception follow immediately after at the Olympia Eagles Club located at 805 - 4th Ave. E At 4th and, Plum St SE, Olympia, WA 98506.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.millsandmillsfunerals.com for the Jarshaw family.
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