John Barry BLESSENT

John Barry Blessent of Colbert, Washington, passed away on September 3, 2025, at Avalon Care Center, with his wife and daughter by his side, following a brief illness.

John was born on December 2, 1945, in Spokane, Washington. He graduated from Mead High School and went on to earn a master's degree in education from Whitworth College. He began his teaching career in Ephrata, Washington, and later returned to Mead High School, where he had once been a student. There, he founded the school's art program and taught pottery, batik, leathercraft and jewelry. A talented artist, John was patient and caring with his students, often serving as a mentor to students, staff, and emerging artists. He also taught jewelry-making classes at Whitworth College and retired after 33 years of dedicated teaching. John loved his students and athletes, and he found great joy in helping them realize their potential and grow into their best selves.

John held many titles-husband, father, brother, friend, artist, teacher, mentor, and coach-and carried each with compassion and genuine pride. He married his wife, Bobbi, on June 12, 1971, and together they adopted their daughter Michelle in July 1974.

Remembered as a patient, caring, and dedicated man, John loved talking with people, learning their stories, and sharing his own. He was an avid runner and a Bloomsday Perennial, one of only a handful of people who completed every race from 1977 through 2021.

In his spare time, John enjoyed hunting with his father and close family friend Jaime Bartlett, spending long autumn days tracking pheasants through the countryside. In the late 1970s, John purchased property in the country and, with the help of friends, spent years building a log home where he and his family settled in 1980. Multifaceted in his talents, John was artistic and creative, yet also mechanically inclined. He restored his 1958 Chevrolet Corvette and proudly showcased it at car shows across the Inland Northwest, including Glass On Grass and Lost In The 50's.

Another passion of his was history and archaeology. John was fortunate to travel to places such as Belize and Peru, where he visited historical sites and deepened his appreciation of different cultures.

John is survived by his wife, Bobbi Blessent; daughter, Michelle Blessent; sister and brother-in-law, Marla and John Hovey; niece, Natalie Gustafson; nephew, Barry Schoedel; and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Dorthea Blessent. A celebration of John's life will be held in the spring, with details to be announced at a later date. In his memory, the family requests that donations be made to an animal charity, honoring John's lifelong love of animals.