Mark w Joy Obituary (2024)

Mark W. Joy, MD, died on May 20, 2024 in Yakima, Washington, born September 14, 1959, to parents Walter Joy and Jody Lawrence in Riverside, California. As the one boy out of 5 siblings he had to learn to navigate the feminine/masculine divide. Apparently he did so very effectively because his sisters absolutely adored him. At the age of 10 the family moved to Riddle, Oregon, where he was introduced to the culture of small town, rural Oregon. Things like swimming in the river and sliding down waterfalls in the creek were a way of life for a kid there. While in Riddle High he met and bonded with a group of friends that he remained close to for the rest of his life. They were collectively known as "the entourage." Mark graduated from Riddle High School in 1977. He went on to attend Southern Oregon State College, followed by Medical School at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland. He completed his MD degree in 1993. In the midst of all this intense schooling he married Jennifer A. Pintok on December 28, 1985. He went on to complete a residency in Family Practice Medicine at Toledo Hospital in Ohio in years 1993-1996. Mark worked in Ft. Gratiot, Michigan, for the next 10 years with a family practice medical group. In November 2006 Mark and Jennifer relocated to the Yakima area. Mark worked as a hospitalist at Yakima Regional Hospital until 2010. In that year he started the family practice medical clinic, Northwest Medicine, in which he would work until just a few weeks before his death. Dr. Joy had over 4000 patients and was loved by them all and by his employees. He was an exceptional physician with a brilliant mind and a kind, compassionate spirit. Mark loved golf, fantasy football, fine art, games, and especially reading. He was a voracious reader and took delight in recommending and sharing books with friends. He loved to travel with Jennifer. He had a wonderful, quirky sense of humor with a deadpan delivery. He once told Jennifer that if she somehow was shrunk down to 5 inches tall she would have a very different relationship with her cats than with her dogs. His quirky, wry sense of humor was intact until virtually the very end as he told tales that confused the nurses. Mark is survived by - his wife, Jennifer of 38 years, his 4 sisters - Donna Joy of Myrtle Creek, Oregon, Cathy Joy (Terry Egenhoff) of Missoula, Montana, Vicki Joy (Chris) of Dayton, Nevada, Jami Peters (Preston) of Winston, Oregon, and 14 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by - his Mother, Jody Wade, Father, Walter Joy, and Grandmother, Emma Gillette. Dr. Mark Joy was an extraordinary human being. A unique and delightful man who was loved by virtually everyone he ever met. His Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 3rd at 11:30am at River Ridge Restaurant in Selah, Washington. Brookside Funeral Home www.brooksidefuneral.com