John Eugene Marken, 79, passed away at Life Care Center in Mount Vernon, Washington on November 1, 2013. John was born on April 5, 1934, on the Marken Family homestead, in Bryant, Washington, to Theodore and Ruby (Frahm) Marken. John attended Bryant Elementary School and graduated from Arlington High School in 1952. John was drafted into the United States Army immediately after the Korean War. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was Honorably Discharged from the United States Army Reserve in November of 1962. John was a Master Diesel Mechanic, working at NC Machinery in Mount Vernon, Washington for 47 years. He enjoyed working on the "yellow" iron, as he called Caterpillar equipment and developed many friendships in the local logging and construction industries. The most memorable time in John's life was working on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Project. He lived and worked in many of the camps (Galbraith, Toolik) along the pipeline route. John was a charter member and Volunteer Firefighter for the Bryant Fire Department. He also served as its Chief for a short time. John married Patti Smoke of Darrington, Washington in September of 1962. They raised their children, Michael, Jeffrey and Kristen near the house where John was born in Bryant. After retirement, John enjoyed tinkering around the family farm and visiting with friends. John is survived by his sisters, Shirley and Violet Marken of Arlington; his children, Michael (Paige) of Mount Vernon, Jeffrey (Claudia) of Marblemount, Kristen of Everett; and three granddaughters, Allison and Cate and Allissa Marken. A reception for family and friends will be held November 9, 2013, from 12:00-3:00 p.m., at the Loyal Heights Community Hall, located at 4305 269th Place NE, Arlington, Washington.