Mark E Difford who always “thought outside the box” passed away on 4 October 2018 after a two-year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig Disease). Mark was born on August 18, 1951 in Redding, California to Wallace and Floramund Difford.

In 1954 Mark and the family moved to Spokane, Washington where he attended St. Peters grade school and Joel E. Ferris High School graduating in 1969. He attended Eastern Washington University where he majored in Chemistry and received a Bachelor of Science in Analytical Chemistry. After graduation he worked for a year and decided to continue his education and went back to Eastern Washington University where he received a Masters of Science in Analytical Chemistry.

He then moved to Seattle and attended the University of Washington where he received another Masters of Science in Wood Utilization. He was hired by Masonite in Ukiah, California where he worked for several years developing resins and glues for their paneling department. He knew he wanted to serve his country so in 1982 left Masonite and joined the Air Force.

He was commissioned on May 1982 as a 2nd Lieutenant. After Officer Training School he was selected to attend the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM where he received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Mark worked in the Air Force as an electrical engineer designing satellites and communication systems for the military. His first satellite was destroyed aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. Mark continued working on communication programs in acquisition and research and development.

Always thinking outside the box Mark and two friends, over several lunches, thought up, designed, and developed a communication program for the Navy called “Challenge Athena”. Mark said this was a system that would bring more sailors home alive. After 20 years Mark retired from the Air Force, spent a month traveling and fell in love with New Zealand. While there he was interviewed and hired by Boeing as an engineer working on the F-22 fighter.

Mark finally retired in 2013 and enjoyed traveling and visiting family and friends. He loved cooking, biking, fishing, walking, scuba diving and square and ballroom dancing. Mark was an active member in the Sons of the American Revolution and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and served as treasurer for both organizations for many years.

He is preceded in death by his twin brother Gary, his father and mother and his best friend Ann Hueber.

He is survived by his sister Paula Renshaw and her husband Jim, sister Dana Difford, adopted sisters Taeko Kato, Ruth Aktepy, his Uncle and Aunt David and Diane Difford, special cousin Julie McNeary and her husband Mark, and longtime boyhood friend Mike Gerimonte.

In lieu of flowers Mark requests donations be sent to the ALS Association Evergreen Chapter, 19226 66th Avenue S, Suite L-105, Kent WA 98032, (425) 656-1650.

A Vigil for Mark is scheduled for 7:00 pm on November 14, 2018 at St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Federal Way WA. A Mass celebrating Mark’s life is scheduled at 10:00 am on November 15, 2018 at St Vincent DePaul Catholic church.

Mark’s burial is scheduled at 2:00 pm at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent WA. He will join his parents and brother who are also resting there.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/tumwater-wa/mark-difford-8017727