John Orin Ahrnsbrak, Col, U.S. Army Retired, 86, passed away on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, Washington.

John was born August 9, 1923 in Marshall, Oklahoma, to Frank and Claudia white Ahrnsbrak. John Graduated from Marshall Oklahoma High School in1941 and Oklahoma State University then Oklahoma A & M in 1950 and he received his Masters Degree from Seattle University in 1966. He served in the U.S. Army, active and reserve for a total of 34 years, retiring in 1982 at grade of Colonel.

John taught in public schools in the Seattle areas for 13 years. After teaching, he owned and operated a farm/ranch near Kittitas, WA for 15 years. He then moved to Sedro-Woolley area in 1990 and he opened The Feed Barn which he sold in 1997, fully retiring. He attended the Faith Baptist Church in Burlington, but now he attends the Great Congregation in Heaven under the leadership of his savior, Jesus Christ.

John is survived by he wife, Elaine whom he married in 1995, four children; David Ahrnsbrak of Monterey, CA, Julie Blancaflor and her husband, Noel of Okinawa, Japan, John P. Ahrnsbrak and his wife, Anna, James F. Ahrnsbrak and his wife, Genny all of Rathdrum, ID. Step-children and their families, Laura Pierce of Everett, WA, Richard and Julia Bankson, Brent Bankson all of Seattle, WA and Sharon and Vadim Zima of Lynnwood, WA. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren and by a brother, Frank Ahrnsbrak of Guthrie, Ok. He was preceded in death by his father, mother and three older brothers and two sisters and his first wife, Donna in 1993.

A time of visitation will be held on Friday, December 18, 2009 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm in the presence of family at Lemley Chapel, 1008 Third St., Sedro-Woolley. A family Graveside Service will be held in Ellensburg, WA. Arrangements are under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.