Mark A. Brimlow

Mark Andrew Brimlow was born February 11, 1953, in Pasadena, California, to Robert and Eleanor Brimlow. The family lived in Sierra Madre, CA until Mark was a year old, when they moved to Anaheim, CA.  While living there, three more brothers were born to the family, making five siblings which included an older sister.  Seven years later, the Brimlow family moved to the Pacific Northwest, settling In Renton, WA, where Mark spent his childhood.

Mark’s passion for fishing came naturally; his father and his grandfather were both avid fishermen, spending a great deal of time on the water.  From the Pacific Ocean to frigid Alaskan rivers, from roiling mountain streams to tranquil alpine lakes, Mark reveled in the sport.  Likewise, his love of the natural world led him on expeditions into the neighboring woods as a child, often bringing home little animals to tame into pets.  There were chipmunks, racoons and even baby snakes, much to his mother’s horror!

When Mark was around 11 years old, he made the most important decision of his life.  After hearing an evangelist tell about the love of Jesus, Mark accepted Him as his Lord and Savior, securing his eternal destiny.

As a teen, Mark developed a keen interest in falconry that became another lifelong passion.  He captured and trained a wide variety of hunting raptors over the years, acquiring his falconry license along the way.  He often flew his birds with fellow falconers, making many friends in the sport.

Mark worked at his father’s business, Bob’s Auto Painting, and learned the art of spray painting and auto body repair.  As an natural artist, it was a skill that served him well for the rest of his life. Later, he worked at several different body shops before opening his own business.  At Boeing Aerospace Co., he painted missiles and other pieces of military equipment, including a Lunar Rover.

Above all, Mark was an artist.  His sense of wonder, combined with his natural love of nature provided him with endless inspiration, and it manifested itself in everything he did.  From stunningly painted wall art to bronzes, his favorite subject was wildlife.  He created whale sculptures, salmon mounts, sailboats, and more, always with the meticulous attention to detail that became his trademark.

Mark eventually bought a cherry orchard in Oroville, WA and lived there for several years before selling it and returning to North Bend.  Eventually he settled in Bonners Ferry, Idaho and lived there until the last two weeks of his life, when he moved down close to family as his illness slowly claimed his life.

Mark stepped into heaven on December 13, 2023, very peacefully with family around him.  He is survived by his son Daniel Provence, his sister Sue, brothers Eric, Rob and Nick, along with nephews and nieces.  He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and brother-in-law, Wally Klassen.

The graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at the Aberdeen Cemetery in Aberdeen, Idaho.