Mark Allan Carlton, 59, passed away in Omak, Wash., Oct. 9, 2012. He was born Aug. 27, 1953, to Lane and June Carlton of Okanogan, Wash. Mark graduated from Okanogan High School in 1971 and attended Washington State University for one year.
     After working several summers as a forest fire lookout, first at Buck Mountain and then at Goat Peak, he took a position with the Washington State Department of Transportation as a heavy equipment operator, first in Okanogan County and later in Grays Harbor County.
     Mark was an exceptional skier and a gifted saxophone player. He also enjoyed tinkering with automobiles and had an intuitive understanding of anything mechanical. Mark had a pleasant personality, was knowledgeable on a variety of subjects, and could be very entertaining. He loved people and enjoyed talking with everyone he met. He was also willing to share what little he possessed to help people in need. He will be missed by his family and friends.
     Mark is survived by his brother, Gary Carlton (Maggie) of Republic, Wash.; sister, Patti Olson (Jerry) of Ariel, Wash.; and stepmother, Aileen Carlton of Omak, Wash. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lane and June Carlton.
     A memorial service for family and close friends will be held at 1 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, at the Omak Inn. Contact Gary Carlton at 509-207-0229 or carlton4@integrity.com for information.
     Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel and the Okanogan Co. Crematory LLC are in care of the arrangements.