John Brace

John Brace

1958 ~ 2017

On January 21, 2017 John Brace departed on yet another adventure to add to his long list of travels.

After graduation from Western Washington University, John and his friend, Pat Miller, headed for

Mexico and Central America, arriving in Belize as their final stop. After some planning and acquiring two kayaks, John and another longtime friend, Stan Leszynske headed to the Yukon in June of '85. They launched the kayaks near Whitehorse, built a log raft on Lake Leberge and finished the trip by kayak at Circle Alaska in mid-August, having covered 1,000 miles of river. At home, time permitting, John would head to the mountains to ski and climb or hike and fish with his friend Jim Edwards since Jr. and Sr. high school (Sammamish '77). In October of '87 John and Stan hiked Central Asia's ancient Silk Road, returning in June of '88. He married and had two daughters. Then the shoe dropped. In 2002 John had surgery for a GlioBlastoma Multiform brain tumor. He continued to work while undergoing treatment at the U.W. Hospital. 2004, the tumor returned and surgery left him paralyzed on the left side and he was again given the news he had six to twelve months to live and not walk again. Vowing to beat the prediction with the help of many friends, family and physical therapy he progressed from bed to wheel chair and then to cane. Unfortunately he could not use his left arm. In 2015 the travel bug got him again and a solo cruise through the Panama Canal was planned. While on the cruise he met Julie Mabey from Utah who acted as a tour guide and companion. They later planned a trip to Costa Rico which they made this last March. John Zip-lined and canoed the river- experiencing it all. After returning home, not feeling well, it was discovered the tumor had returned. Surgery was able to remove only 70% of the growth and again the prediction was dire. John gave it a courageous fight and lost on January 21, 2017.

This the "rest of the story' that was first run by the Seattle Times on March 25, 2005 opposite the story of Terri Schiavo and again on December 27th 2005. John was a young man with resolve, strength and kindness and will be sorely missed by his many friends who have helped and supported him in so many ways.

John is survived by his parents Don and Sherill Brace of Bellevue, daughters Eva and Nyta Brace of Issaquah, sister Hilary Brace (Rollin Fortier) of Santa Barbara, sister Adrian Sowers (Rick) and nieces Kendra Sowers and McKenna Sowers of Bothell, uncle Gordon Brace (JoAnn) of Phoenix, cousins, Terri Milling of Scottsdale & Steve Brace of Las Vegas and many friends; Russ Staples, whom he met on Hospice in 2005, Vicki Price, Jay and Chris Yourglich, Theresa and Kevin McHenry, Kelly Jackson and Mike Leahy, to name only a few,

A Celebration of his Life will be held on February 26th at Redmond Ridge Community Center at 10315 Cedar Park Crescent NE, Redmond, WA from 1:00pm - 3:00pm. In lieu of Flowers, a contribution may be made to Children's Hospital & Medical center or Providence Hospice of Seattle.