March 28, 1955 ~ January 3, 2017
John, 61, passed away suddenly on January 3, 2017, due to an asymptomatic brain aneurysm. He leaves behind his wife of 36 years, Linda Myrick; his three children, Emily, Lauren (Brian Grassadonia), and Evan Myrick, siblings Robin Staadecker (Joel Staadecker) and Robert Myrick, many nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
John was born in Oak Park, Illinois to Delores and Floyd Myrick, the third of four children. Soon thereafter, the family moved to Seattle, Washington, where John grew up, attending Parkside School in Seattle, Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma, and Highline High School in Burien. At 23, John moved to Houston, Texas, where he worked with sister and brother-in-law Robin and Joel Staadecker, and where he met Linda.
Linda and John married in 1980. They had their first two children, Emily and Lauren, in Houston, and then moved back to the Pacific Northwest early in 1985, where they put down roots in Bellevue. Evan was born in 1986. John was the consummate dad, from crawling around on the floor with them as babies, to coaching soccer and basketball, to playing Captain Hook at the Peter Pan themed birthday party, to lengthy listening and counseling sessions during times of distress, to beaming pride at graduations, tearful good-byes at college dorms, and unbridled joy at Lauren and Brian’s beautiful wedding last May.
John worked as a commercial real estate broker for First Western Properties in Redmond and Tukwila for several years before forming his own firm, Westmark Properties. After retiring from real estate, he made his full-time job taking care of Linda and their lovely home in Bellevue as well as taking on supportive roles in the care of family members in need.
In recent months and years, John and Linda enjoyed hikes on Cougar Mountain, bicycle rides on the Burke-Gilman trail, trips to California to visit the kids, road trips through Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Oregon, trips to see friends and family, and entertaining friends in their home, regaling all with his stories. Their recent road trip with Lauren and Brian in Italy was the story book trip of his lifetime.
John’s beautiful spirit, joy of life, sense of fun and adventure, quirky sense of humor, and insightful wisdom were a huge part of our lives. He taught us much about what is important, and he made sure we all knew how much he loved and cared for each of us every day. We will miss him beyond measure.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Unity of Bellevue, 16330 NE 4th Street, on Saturday, January 28, at 3:00 p.m. All are welcome.
