John Samuel Fellows

John Samuel Fellows, Sr., age 74, of Lacey, WA passed away on March 6, 2024. He was born on December 11, 1949 in Walla Walla, WA to Melvin Burton (Bud) and Maxine (Thomason) Fellows. John lived his early years in Milton-Freewater, OR enjoying time with his grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles who lived close by. His family spent some time in Germany when his father was transferred there.

Afterward, the family came back to Washington state, living in Lakewood and eventually settling in Lacey, where John graduated from North Thurston High School in 1968.

After graduating high school, John joined the United States Marine Corps and did a tour in Vietnam. He was stationed in El Toro, CA at the time of his honorable discharge. John was always proud to be a Marine. He later enlisted in the Army National Guard at Camp Murray.

During his life he had careers working for Ernst Home Centers, driving trucks for Hostess, driving busses for Intercity Transit, and working with the public at Al’s, Schuck’s & O’Reilly Auto Parts. During these times he made many friends whom he kept in touch with through his retirement.

John had the wonderful opportunity of taking his family on camping trips in his RV and traveling to many beautiful places in the Northwestern part of the US. He loved cars, woodworking, and gardening and was skilled in nearly everything he did. He was also no stranger to a good practical joke!

John married Julie Hamilton and together they had four children. They were later divorced.

While working in Utah, John met and married Elaine (Hamson). They moved back to Olympia where they spent 43 years gardening, camping, and traveling together. They had two daughters, and numerous Cocker Spaniels who he loved just like his children.

John is survived by his wife Elaine of Lacey, WA; daughter Wendy (Michael) Long of Puyallup, WA; son John (Rachel Friedstrom) Fellows of Portland, OR; daughter Kimberly (Tad) Lambert of Portland, OR; daughter Michelle Fellows of Portland, OR; daughter Elisia Fellows of Spokane, WA; and daughter Angie (Kyle) Strozyk of Olympia, WA; eleven grandchildren (Morgan, Ben, James, Jonathan, Haley, Cydney, Madeline, Makenna, Elissa, Ryder, Avery) and three great-grandchildren (Sophia, Ava, Asher); and cousins Patty and Sherry who he grew up with and loved. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Maxine, his brother Richard Fellows and his half-brothers Donald Byington and Robert Byington,