Mark Andrew Jackson

Mark Andrew Jackson, 57, of Vandalia, Mont., passed away from a heart attack Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015, while elk hunting with his soulmate, Karen Jackson.

He was born in Wenatchee, Wash., Aug. 25, 1958, to Buddy and Bonnie (Anderson) Jackson. He graduated from Eastmont High School, class of 1976. Later he attended a Montana outfitter and guide service school, graduating top of his class. He married the love of his life, Karen (Spencer) Jackson, Feb. 17, 1979.

He has been working in the telephone business for the last 30 years. He worked for GTE/Verizon for many years before he and Karen started Queen of Spades Utilities, Inc.

He was a quiet and avid hunter/fisherman. He enjoyed baking cookies for friends, yummy pies during the holidays in his mom's kitchen and extraordinary birthday cakes. He was also a practical joker. You never knew when he might strike!

He loved to spend time with friends and family. He found special joy teaching his "kids" about the outdoors, making cookies with the grandbabes or cooking up something special for Karen .

He was happiest when he and Karen where working on a home project, camping/hunting or dickering with a street vendor on a beach in Mexico. They traveled to many places throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Colorado and Wyoming.

Survivors include his loving wife, Karen Jackson, of Vandalia; children, Storm Jackson and his wife, Jenn, of Glasgow, Catrina Sillito and her husband, Preston, of East Wenatchee; and Steve Wellendorf of Glasgow; grandchildren, Makayla, John and Adelaide Sillito of East Wenatchee, Ashlyn Jackson of the Tri-Cities, Wash., and Olivia and Buddy Jackson of Glasgow; his parents, Buddy and Bonnie Jackson of East Wenatchee; one brother, Terry Jackson, of East Wenatchee; his best friend, Randy May, of East Wenatchee; and many friends and family in the Wenatchee Valley and Izard County, Ark.

A celebration of Mark's life will be held in East Wenatchee, at Telford's Chapel of the Valley at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, with a reception to follow at Willy's Sports Bar, also in East Wenatchee. Another service will take place at OB's Bar in Saco on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 5 p.m. A visitation took place Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Bell Mortuary in Glasgow.

Bell Mortuary of Glasgow and Telfords Chapel of the Valley in East Wenatchee are in charge of arrangements.