Mark Todd Stackhouse

Mark Todd Stackhouse passed away on July 17, 2007 in Lake Stevens, surrounded by his entire family after a life long battle with cystic fibrosis. Mark was born in Middletown, Conn., on March 25, 1966. He was chosen as Poster Child for Cystic Fibrosis in Rhode Island and again in Florida. Being a Navy family member, Mark attended 11 years in the Oak Harbor school system, graduating in June of 1986. Mark was active in many sports including football, baseball, track and wrestling. He was a Washington state champion in wrestling.

Mark’s love of horses took him to Walla Walla College where he graduated from farrier school in 1988. He furthered his education at Lamar College in Colorado. Mark returned to Oak Harbor where he worked as a licensed ferrier for several years. Injuries from a horse accident forced him to look for a new career.

Physical fitness and health took him into the personal training field where he earned many trophies in body building while working in Gold’s Gym in Marysville and 24 Hour Fitness in Mount Vernon.

On April 16, 2004 Mark underwent a double lung transplant at the University of Washington. He had his life back and learned to laugh all over again. For the last nine years he was employed at the Stanwood Gym in Stanwood.

Mark is survived by his father Paul Stackhouse and wife Pat of Tulalip; his mother Mary Ann Smith and husband Lester of Oak Harbor; sister Tamie Sentz and husband John of Sevierville, Tenn.; sister Kerry Perez of Bremerton; and brother Christopher Stackhouse and wife Stacy of Sevierville, Tenn. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and his beloved friend Michelle “Shelly” Pahls of Lake Stevens who has cared for and loved him for the last five years. He is predeceased by his paternal grandparents Paul and Adele Stackhouse of New Orleans, and maternal grandparents Bernard and Ellen McCarthy of Deep River, Conn.

Mark lived his life to the fullest. “He did it his way.” When the doctors said he couldn’t, he did it anyway including rodeo riding, mountain climbing and kayaking, just to prove them wrong.

At his request no services will be held at this time. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In memory of Mark, donations may be made to any Washington Mutual bank to a fund called “Miracles From Mark.”