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John Russell First
1958 - 2025
UPCOMING SERVICE
John First Obituary
He was born in Toledo Ohio, the second son born to Bill and Mary Ellen (Ball) First. He graduated from High School in Worthington in 1976 and from Miami University in Oxford in 1980. He moved to the Northwest, drawn by opportunities he saw for his landscaping business and to pursue his life-long passion for skiing and hiking. He earned an Environmental Landscape Award from Washington Association of Landscape Professionals in 1989.
John recognized an opportunity to make a difference in the community. He served on the Snohomish Park Board for over 30 years, the Riverfront Task Force, and was a driving force behind the creation of the Snohomish Tree Tour, now sponsored by Green Snohomish.
Backpacking was the highpoint each summer for John, and skiing in the winter. He took great joy in introducing skiing to his grandchildren.
John landscaped the grounds at St. John's Episcopal Church, served meals there with Community Kitchen, led the annual Crop Walk, acted in Episcoplayer comedies, and brewed beer for Oktoberfest. John lived his Christian values, treating all he met with care and respect.
An artist in both the garden and the kitchen, John nurtured others through cooking, mostly with home-grown ingredients. Strengthening family bonds is ultimately what mattered most to him.
John is survived by wife of 22 years Candace McKenna, brothers Larry (Joan) and Dave (Cindy), sister Sally (John Caltabiano), daughters, Emma (Lane Elliott), and Ellie (fiancé Mike Havens); stepsons Quentin and Nathaniel Mylet (Meaghan), stepdaughter Johanna Mylet, grandchildren Eli, Sofia, Maddie, Mac, Polly, Liam, Georgia, Theo, Audrey, Blair and Ayla, former spouse Cynthia and Aussie-mix Crackerjack (CJ).
Services will be October 4th at 2:00 at St. John's Episcopal Church in Snohomish. Reception will follow. The family asks that memorial gifts be made to St. John's Creation Steward's Ministry, 913 2nd Street, Snohomish (https://stjohnsnohomish.org/), or to Green Snohomish (https://account.venmo.com/u/happyliltrees). Crackerjack recommends Aussie Rescue Placement Helpline (https://www.aussierescue.org/).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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