Saying Goodbye

John Mark at his high school graduation, May, 1986.

An old friend of mine died this last week. John Mark Arechiga was one of my first crushes in elementary school. He and his family moved to Battle Ground, WA around 1982 and our families quickly become great friends. Along with a couple other families, we spent many weekends together, going for hikes, playing games on Sat. night, and just hanging out. John Mark was a great guy, very smart and friendly to everyone. After high school, my family moved away and we lost touch over the years (although our parents still kept in contact).

So it was quite a shock to hear that he passed away last Saturday, May 10. John Mark had always loved dirt bikes, even as a kid. I remember riding them in the woods around his house when we were young, but he apparently got even more into motorcycles as he grew up. It was his life, his business, and his hobby, and even his wife was a racer. John Mark died during a practice run when his bike wiped out. More information can be found here: www.littlebigracing.com

From all the comments and messages I have read about him, it sounds like he was just as well liked, smart, and respected as an adult as when he was in high school. He will be missed, and my thoughts are with his family.

Here is how I remember him:


Family vacation at Rosario Beach, Anacortes, WA, probably 1982.