Mark Frank Barcott, 68, of Yakima, went to be with the Lord on July 7, 2023. Surrounded by his families' and friends' love and his faith in God, the last words Mark heard, were from his son Brandon: "I love you".

Mark is survived by his wife of 39 years, Julia, his son Brandon (Tori),  his three siblings: David, Frank (Dena) and Kathy. He is preceded in death by his parents: Frank and Sylvia, his brother Robert (Mary Lynne), his sisters: Marilyn and Maggie, and Julia's parents Edward and Rose Sage.

Born in 1955, Mark was the fourth of seven children that Frank and Sylvia Barcott welcomed into their family. He was lovingly raised in Anacortes Washington amid a large community of friends, family, church, and his Croatian heritage.

In his youth, Mark developed a love of the outdoors, hunting and fishing. So much so, that when he turned 14, he began working in the family commercial fishing business where he was introduced to the uncertain coastal waters of Alaska and Washington. Mark loved fishing but more importantly he was so proud that he was able to help his parents support their large family financially so when he graduated Anacortes High School in 1973, he flew out the very next day to Yakutat, Alaska, which became his second home during the summers.

Mark felt very strongly about the Yakutat community and with the help of his friends and bandmates, he began raising money for various local causes by helping to found the first ever "Fairweather Day" in celebration of lifelong Yakutat resident – Fred Bemis. After many years of living in Yakutat, buying fish, and playing in his band - The Fairweather Band, Mark has left his mark on the entire community as well as the friendships that he cherished throughout his entire life. The "Fairweather Day" festival continues to this day.

During the Fall and Winter months, Mark would leave Yakutat to pursue an education and eventually become his class valedictorian with an associate's degree from Wenatchee Valley Community College. While he was in Eastern Washington attending school he met the love of his life, Julia Sage, and married her in a beautiful ceremony surrounded by all of their family and friends. Shortly after their marriage in 1984, Mark moved to Yakima Washington with Julia by his side. When people would ask him, "Why Yakima?", he would always say that he once asked someone at the airport where the best bird hunting was and they said "Yakima!" so that's where they went.

After 14 years of marriage the couple was blessed to welcome their only child, Brandon Edward Barcott, in 1998. To say that Mark was thrilled is an understatement. Mark had retired from work early due to a back injury but because of this, he was able to dedicate the majority of his time as dad to Brandon. He took great joy in raising him, taking him fishing and hunting, teaching him life skills, and sharing his love of music with him. He was especially excited when Brandon joined the United State Air Force and again when Brandon married Victoria (Tori) Marie Kelly, adding a daughter to his life. They had such a close relationship that every day he would tell Brandon how proud he was of him and how much he loved him.

Along the way, it was Mark's lifelong faith in God that carried him through many of life's challenges and celebrations. In the same way that he served the community of Yakutat he also served the Catholic Church at various levels throughout his life beginning with becoming an altar boy shortly after his first communion. Later in life, the Holy Family Catholic Church in Yakima became an integral part of his life. Along with daily rosary prayer and bible readings he led a men's church group called "This Man Is You" and he kept himself busy with many other projects including church repairs and running the sound equipment for the outdoor masses during COVID. He felt truly blessed by all the true friendships and connections that he made through the church. It was their support and kindness during his life and especially during his illness that brought him so much peace and joy.

An avid musician and aspiring songwriter from a young age, Mark taught himself to play after he bought his first guitar with the money, he earned fishing. He wrote songs that told other people's stories and was actively making and recording music to the very end with the assistance of his dear friend Vance Nichols who helped him record his final songs so they wouldn't be lost to his loved ones. The music he wrote enabled him to express his view that everyone was worthy of love and respect. One of the last songs he had written was called "Questions" and it expressed the hope that he had left behind a legacy of love and had done enough to serve others during his lifetime.

Mark brought respect and love for others. He was always fun and had an easy smile. He believed that everyone deserved to be reached out to and encouraged. His laughter and jokes lit up the room. He was humble…when people told him they appreciated his leadership or admired him, he was often embarrassed. His wife, Julia, would often run across acts of kindness that he had done. Once he got a very warm K2 coat for a Christmas present and as she was driving to a store, she noticed an elderly man wearing a coat just like it. When she commented that her husband received a coat like it for Christmas. The gentleman shared that his friend "Mark" had given it to him because he was homeless and cold. Another time she went to get something out of the freezer and realized most of the fish/meat was missing. A friend of Mark's told her that he had helped Mark take all of it down to the river and they cooked for the homeless families living there.

Philippians 2:3 states:  "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves."

That verse described Mark's values.

The family would like to thank Vance Nichols, Greg Haynes, Keith Henry, Tyler Shepherd, Rev. Cesar Vega-Mendoza, Dr. Joseph Vickers, Heartlinks Hospice and Bruce and Teresa Lewis for all of their time, energy and love.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to Camp Hope-Yakima , the Union Gospel Mission-Seattle or Catholic Charities .

To share memories of Mark, please sign his online guest register at: www.evanschapel.com/obituary/mark-barcott