John Beba

John Dale Beba of Vashon Island passed away peacefully on August 11, after a long illness.

John grew up on dairy farms in Carnation, Darrington, and North Bend, Washington, in a bustling household with his seven siblings, Nadine, Harrold, Barbara, David, Carol, Joanne, and Charlene, and parents Cecil and Elaine. In 1980, John and his wife Mary made a home on Vashon Island, where they raised their children Cameron, Zoe, Adam, and Carin. At his core, John was a family man who loved his wife of 40 years, his children and their partners Heather, Kaitlyn, and Tony, his grandsons Kellan and Archer, and countless extended family members.

After 31 years with the King County roads department, John knew Vashon like the back of his hand. He was a dedicated and skilled worker who quietly contributed to the safety, comfort, and cohesion of the island community through his labor and his love. John was the go-to person whether you needed to know how to repair your car, get somewhere on the island, build a house, or dunk a basketball. He would teach you to do it yourself, with patience and humility, even if you were never quite as skilled as he was.

John was a kind and calm man who was known for his compassion and dry wit. He loved baseball and fishing with his brothers, golf and poker with his friends, family vacations to the Washington Coast, nightly cribbage games with Mary, voraciously reading, and making people laugh. John was a talented woodworker, and his homemade Adirondack chairs will continue to provide respite to many who loved him. John also took passionate care of the family’s backyard garden and vineyard, which he tended with Mary.