Mark R. Adams

Mark Adam’s Life History Marcus Rex Adams was born on July 24, 1921 at the Delphi Family Farm in Olympia, Washington. This farm was homesteaded by his parents, John W. and Emma Adams where they raised their four children Jack, Ruth, Mark and Virgil. Mark married Harriet Phelps in June 1938. He worked as a mechanic/machinist at Mel’s Chevrolet, the Oldsmobile Garage and then Spoon Automotive. During WWII, he served in the U.S. Coastguard Auxiliary and had many different businesses in the Olympia area, including Automotive Services in 1943, The Deluxe Auto Laundry, and his favorite, “Mad Mark’s Used Cars.“ His first child, Terry, was born during that time in 1942, Bonnie in 1944, and Susan later in 1949. It became clear that Mark wasn’t cut out to sell ice cream when Dale Brady talked him into moving his family to Springfield, Oregon as a partner in “King Cone.” Terry and Bonnie remember that they were in Oregon for a very short time. Mark became a loyal member of the Elk’s Lodge on April 12, 1948 and also enjoyed his membership at the Washington Athletic Club and the Olympia Yacht Club with all of his boats, including The Bonnie Sue, The Madera, and The Summer Wind. Mark was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gathering of seafood from beaches, especially his love, The Hood Canal. In fact, Terry can remember the first time his parents could afford steak and he wouldn’t eat it because he was used to only eating venison. He started hauling logs with his brother Jack and went into building portable saw mills. In 1956, he left his family in Olympia and moved to log on Orcus Island, Washington. Mark stayed at the Rosario Mansion until he bought the Cliff House in 1957 so he could move his wife and children to the island to live with him. He came back to Olympia and moved his portable saw mills to sites in Thurston, Mason and Grays Harbor County. He bought property on Olympia’s Westside to build his second saw mill along with Captain Cayote’s and the service station next door. Corrine remembers Mark reminiscing and would say, “This is when life was good.” He later purchased a saw mill in Tenino from Melva Marvel, and named it Marko Lumber Company. At that time, he ended his portable mill business and was in the business of receiving logs that were transported to this new mill. He later sold Marko Lumber Company and retired in 1978 at the age of 57. Mark had a very colorful life after retiring, and one thing he always said was that he valued his friends and how they helped him be successful with just a handshake. Mark lost his first wife Harriet Adams in June 1983. He married Corinne Cairone on August 10, 1985 at Roche Harbor, Washington in the presence of their family and close friends. The ceremony was held on his boat, The Madera. Mark and Corinne spent many summers cruising the San Juan Islands and Canadian waters and, in 1988, built their new home where they spent many years enjoying the beautiful view of the lake, mountain, capitol and wildlife. They motor homed across the U.S. two times and wintered in Arizona and the California desert. They also traveled on cruise ships to several Caribbean islands, the Panama Canal, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia. Not only did Mark enjoy his marriage to Corinne but also his new friendship with Corinne’s mother, Evelyn, and her children, Julie, Carol and Mike. On July 24, 2011, Mark celebrated his 90th birthday at his home with his family. A few memories include the beautiful weather, the adorable grandchildren and great grandchildren, the logging truck cake, Mark asking for a drink and, in a way that only Mark can say it, and I quote, “When is everyone going to go home?” Mark passed away comfortably at home Wednesday, December 14, 2011, surrounded by people who loved him. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Corinne Adams; children, Terry Adams (Arlene), Bonnie Toth (Gayle), and Sue Johnston; stepchildren, Julie, Carol and Mike Cairone; 11 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. He will be greatly missed, and will live forever in our hearts. Fun Memories of Mark Mark’s father was forced by the Post Office to change his name from John Quincy Adams to John W. Adams. The Mad Mark sign was exhibited upside down to attract attention. People would come in to tell him the sign was upside down and then he would ask them if they were interested in buying a car. Mark loved milk and cookies, oyster stew, 2:00 a.m. feedings, peanut butter and crackers, warm weather, the hated moles and weeds in his grass, asking Julie and Carol (and every other single woman) when are they getting married, laughing at his own jokes, his family, his work, his boats, wildlife, entertaining people, telling stories and almost all that life had to offer. Mark’s Favorite Sayings When you offered Mark a drink, he would respond with, “I didn’t come to visit!” When he had a cocktail, he would often say, "That drink is strong enough to make you feel single and see double." “Does a snake do pushups?” “I’d give my interest in Hell for a toothpick.” “She was a hard hound to keep under the porch.” “That’s cleaner than a hound’s tooth.” “That would make a rabbit fight a hound.” “I’m so hungry I’d eat the north end of a chicken flying south.” “That’s handier than a pocket on a shirt!” "I smoke a pipe because I'm too green to burn." "I'm the kind of guy who hates a dime because it isn't a quarter." Please leave YOUR memories of Mark or condolences for the family in the Guestbook below. Memorial donations may be made to Providence Home Health Care and Hospice, 3432 South Bay Road NE, Olympia, WA 98506, or the the Olympia Elks Lodge.