MARK VAN GUSE

Mark Joseph Van Guse 1948 ~ 2015 Mark died unexpectedly on Thursday, February 5, 2015 at the age of 66. Mark is survived by his wife Kris and son Gabriel (high school teacher and basketball coach in Phoenix), and was preceded in death by his son Seth, who died in 1989 at the age of 9 after his third open heart surgery. Mark and Kris met at Central Washington State College (University) during summer school in an English class. They fell in love, married on August 12, 1972, and have been happily married ever since. Mark graduated from Marquette High School (Yakima 1966) and from the University of Washington (1972) with a degree in political science. He was a member of St. Jerome's Catholic Church in Ocean Shores. Mark served in the Army as a radio telegraph operator in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster for Meritorious Achievement in Ground Operations Against Hostile Forces, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. Mark refused the Purple Heart Medal. Mark was a member and officer of the VFW in Ocean Shores. Mark spent his adult life working for United Parcel Service, Federal Express, and the Tacoma News Tribune as a pressman. Mark's greatest joys were spending time with his wife, son Gabriel, and grandson Colton. He had a passion for his position as the long distance basketball assistant for Gabriel's teams, reading, playing pool, weight training, sports, and classic cars. There was always another classic car that he just had to have. Mark is known for his devotion to his family, his kindness, loving spirit, caring, and compassion. His sense of humor, quick wit, and the wealth of trivia he possessed amazed us. He left us all smiling. Mark could remember events from his childhood in detail, loving to embellish the details at each telling. He and Gabriel matched wits with motivational quotes from every source imaginable. He found the positive in people. Mark left this world a better place. Family members include Mark's father, Robert, brother Matthew, brother John (Leslie), sister Mary (Randy), and brother Joseph (Mary), nieces Brianna (Christian) and Becca (Jason and Joe), and nephews Jacob and Tim. Mark is also survived by his much loved grandson, Colton. Mark was preceded in death by his son Seth, mother Cynthia, and brother Luke. He is also survived by numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the fund set up at Children's Hospital in Seattle in Mark's name. Donations will go to the heart center. Online at www.seattlechildrens.org, or by mail at Seattle Children's Hospital P.O. Box 5371 Seattle, WA 98145-5005. Arrangements are being made for a celebration of Mark's life in Gig Harbor in March. Details will be publicized when the arrangements are finalized. A message of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com