JACK DOUGLAS BESST

Jack Besst, 47, Maple Valley, WA (Formerly, Potlatch, ID)

Jack Besst, 47, unexpectedly passed away on June, 15, 2020 due to complications of a recent

medical procedure. He was born to Dale and Victoria Besst in Moscow, ID on April 25, 1973

and raised in his family home on Bear Creek in Princeton, ID. Jack was a 1991 graduate of

Potlatch High School. Jack attended the University of Idaho and received his B.S. degree in

Human Resources and Marketing in 1995 where he was a member of Delta Chi Fraternity and

continued to be a proud Idaho Vandal Alumni.

He is survived by his wife, Amy, and his children Dawson (20), Carson (18), and Emerson (13)

in Maple Valley and his siblings Katie (Ryan) Ball of Kamiah, Lisa Besst of Seattle, and Tim

(Kara) Besst of Moscow. Surviving extended family are: mother-in-law, Karen Rath,

brother-in-law, Craig Rath, plus nephews & nieces: Darian Ball, Kesli Godinho, Danielle Smalls,

Marissa Smalls, Miles Smalls, Nathan Besst, Addison Besst, McKenna Besst, Ellie Rath,

Conner Rath, Lane Rath, Amelia Rath, Nicole Buchanan, Jacob Buchanan and Jack’s first great

nephew, Lincoln Godinho whom he was able to meet on June 11, 2020. Jack is also survived by

many cherished aunts, uncles and cousins.

One of his favorite childhood memories which he most recently spoke about on Memorial Day

Weekend 2020 was working at the local grocery store (Floyd’s Excell Foods) from the time he

was in ninth grade and on weekends/ holidays and on a needed basis through college. He had a

great amount of respect for the owner’s and they held a special place in his memories.

Jack had a lifetime love of adventure and travel. This began in childhood with his Grandma Ida

and frequent visits to the Spokane Airport just to watch airplanes take off and land. He worked

for Horizon Airlines at the Pullman/Moscow Airport while attending the University of Idaho and

transferred to the Yakima Airport after his University of Idaho graduation where he worked as a

Horizon Airlines Supervisor. Eventually he transferred to the corporate office of Alaska Airlines

in Sea-Tac, WA where he was employed for several years as a recruiter and thus kicked off his

career in HR. Jack spent the majority of his first years working for big tech companies such as

Microsoft and Oracle until his love for his work went deeper than tech and he found his way into

the healthcare industry several years ago. Jack transitioned to the Executive Recruiting Team

for Providence Health Care in October of last year and was helping to set up the Exec and Tech

recruiting function for the new Providence Global Center in India at the time he fell ill in March.

He was set to return to work from medical leave on June 15, the day of his passing.

His work as a human resources recruiter allowed him to travel and experience adventure on five

continents including places in Argentina, China, Canada, Greece, Ireland, New Zealand and

Russia. He enjoyed leisure adventures and his ultimate favorite family vacation was Montego

Bay, Jamaica. His best times were on a warm sunny beach with a book in hand surrounded by

friends and family. He once traveled to Nome, Alaska when working for the airlines, just to get

to the northernmost part of the United States. Jack was known by many of his family and friends

as the “travel agent” of the group. He loved to spend his time planning the next adventure and

for him planning the perfect excursion gave him much joy. As good as it was to reach the final

destination for Jack, it was the constant planning and discussions with his friends and family

that made his day.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Victoria Besst, father-in-law, Harvey Rath,

sister-in-law, Machelle Rath-Gifford, paternal grandparents, Lee and Alice Marie Besst, and

maternal grandmother, Ida Maurin.

A Celebration of LIfe will take place on Saturday, June 27 at 2 PM at Scenic 6 Park in Potlatch

to allow for social distancing. Seating will be available but attendees are welcome to bring lawn

chairs and masks. Rev. Bob Lambert will officiate the service.  A private dinner for family and close friends will follow.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kramercares.com. Jack would

appreciate any memorial gift donations to go to Tahoma Cross Country Club, 26828 Maple Valley Highway #191, Maple Valley, WA.  98038,  Tahoma Lacrosse

Club, P.O. Box 326, Maple Valley, WA. 98038, American Cancer Society or an organization/charity of donor’s choice.

Kramer Funeral Home of Palouse, Washington is caring for the family.

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