Obituary: Balcom, John A.
(Age 72) Passed away peacefully at his home in Tumwater, WA on March 22, 2013 surrounded by his family.
He was born on January 13, 1941 in Spokane, WA to Kenneth and Edith Balcom.
His family later moved to the Sacheen Lake area.
He graduated from Newport High School in 1959.
John worked for the Washington State Patrol Dept of Commercial Vehicles and Dept of Transportation for 30 years, retiring in 1998.
He married Virginia (Ginger) Williams on March 13, 1977, celebrating 36 years of marriage this month.
John was an avid gardener, enjoying the entire process from planting to canning.
While the local deer enjoyed his garden as well, he also made sure the squirrels and birds were fed and housed.
He was a skilled wood craftsman, finding never-ending joy in tinkering in his shop.
Playing cards were his favorite form of entertainment, although he fluctuated on the interpretation of rules, inspiring many hours of good humored debate.
His grandchildren were his pride and joy, often traveling long distances to participate in their numerous endeavors and events.
He is survived by his wife, his daughter Lori (Lee) Brower of Layton, UT, his son John J. Balcom of Olympia, WA, step-daughters Melissa (Victor) Alarcon of Portland, OR and Rochelle Raven of Olympia, WA; granddaughters Carly and Kelsey Raitt, Mikaylee Balcom and Carina and Alicia Alarcon.
He is also survived by his brother Charles (Barb) Balcom of Spokane, WA, sister Gayle (Ed) Cook of Bellingham, WA, his sister-in-law Nancy Balcom of Spokane, WA, his sister Janet Jannsen of Ocean Park, WA, his sister Susan (Jim) Hughes of Old Town, ID and his brother Barney (Sue) Balcom of Newport, WA.
He is preceded in death by his brother, Thomas Balcom, and his grandson, Nicholas Raitt.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 29 at 12:30 at the Evergreen Memorial Gardens, 1101 NE 112th Ave., Vancouver, WA.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to his grandson’s foundation, Wacky Warriors (War Against Cancer in Kids & Young Adults) 801 N 500 W Suite 200 Bountiful, UT 84010.
MILLS and MILLS FUNERAL HOME, Olympia, WA