Dr. Mark Lester Besola of Lake Tapps died unexpectedly in his sleep on Jan. 1. He was 52 and had multiple, chronic health conditions.

He was born Oct. 19, 1966, in Ronan, Montana, but after the sudden death of his father in 1967, the family moved to Lopez Island in Washington. He graduated from Lopez High School in 1984. He was active in 4-H with his cattle and sheep, prepared canning projects for the fair and showed ducks. He loved showing animals at the San Juan County Fair and the Puyallup Fair, qualified for the national 4-H judging team and judged livestock competitively during college. He attended Washington State University to pursue a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.

Mark practiced as a veterinarian in Aberdeen, Raymond and Federal Way, Washington. He loved the work he did and valued the relationships he built with clients around the care and welfare of his patients. He loved Cher and traveled throughout North America to attend her concerts and traveled extensively in Europe, Australia and especially loved a trip he took to Israel. He was obsessed with HGTV and acquiring investment, rental properties. With his health failing, some of his best hours were spent throwing balls from his dock into Lake Tapps for his beloved yellow labs.

He is survived by sisters Amelia Besola of Auburn, Julia Besola-Robinson of Blaine, Washington, Gretchen Piper of Enterprise, Oregon, and Renee Aho of Marquette, Michigan. Mark was preceded in death by his parents, LaVinia Cunningham-Besola and Everett Besola, brother Eric Besola, and both paternal and maternal grandparents.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21, at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Enumclaw. Prior to the service at 1 p.m., there will be a viewing at Weeks’ Enumclaw Funeral Home. All are welcome to attend and celebrate his life. Immediately following the service there will be a reception at Calvary Presbyterian.

Flowers and condolences can be sent to Weeks’ Enumclaw Funeral Home, 1810 Wells St., Enumclaw, 98022, or at www.weeksfuneralhomes.com.

All are welcome to celebrate his life at noon Wednesday, Jan. 23, at Lopez Center Church. Immediately following, there will be a luncheon reception at the Fellowship Hall. He will be buried in the Lopez Union Cemetery.