Mark Sterling Hara

Mark Sterling Hara, 47, lifelong Moses Lake resident, passed away Saturday in Port Angeles, Wash. from injuries sustained in a fall.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at the Lake City Four Square Church in Moses Lake with Pastor Dave Chandler officiating. Interment will follow at Pioneer Memorial Gardens.

Friends may call at the funeral home Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel and Crematory.

Mark was born August 14, 1957 in Moses Lake, son of Don and Fumi (Nitta) Hara. He was raised and educated in Moses Lake, graduating from Moses Lake High School in 1976.

Mark loved playing football in junior high but, due to his smaller stature, he was encouraged to wrestle instead. He was co-captain of the wrestling team throughout his high school career and wrestled in state tournaments.

Mark began Judo training during elementary school, progressing through the different levels until earning his first-degree black belt through Seiwa Kan Dojo under Sensei Makoto Enokizono.

Following high school, Mark attended Grays Harbor Community College on a wrestling scholarship. He later attended classes at Big Bend Community College.

He worked at John Deere Tractor for several years.

Growing up on the family farm, Mark started changing water at an early age and under the "colorful" direction of his father he continued to learn about farming. Through his adult years he carried on with the family farming tradition.

He was married to Michele H. Regier in Moses Lake on March 7, 1986. Together they have one son, Bryan.

Mark loved to hunt and fish. He especially enjoyed goose hunting in recent years.

During their teenage years, many time the brothers with their dad, including Grandpa Nitta, would load up the truck, pulling the boat to Westport, to salmon fish all day before driving back home.

He also enjoyed riding motorcycles, snow skiing and most competitive sports.

He was a member of the Columbia Basin Japanese American Association, the National Rifle Association and the Boyd Mordhorst Memorial Shooting Range in Ephrata and greatly enjoyed building and flying radio controlled airplanes with the local RC Club.

He is survived by his loving wife, Michele Hara of Moses Lake; his son, Bryan Hara of Moses Lake; parents, Don and Fumi Hara, Moses Lake; brothers and sisters, Karen and John Weidert, Kennewick, Don Hara, Jr., Moses Lake, Geri and Larry Gilbert, Bellingham, Doug and Tami Hara, Moses Lake, George and Lori Hara, Moses Lake, Susan and Russ Beard, Othello; nieces and nephews, Jessika Hara, Craig Weidert, A.J. Hara, Harrison Gilbert, Sean Weidert, Samantha Hara, Hayden Hara and Nick Hara; numerous aunts and uncles, including Jack and Toshie Nitta of Warden and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Nobuichi and Yoshiko Nitta; uncle, Bob Nitta and cousin, Rick Hara.

Donations can be made to the Mark Sterling Hara Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of American West Bank, 322 S. Division St., Moses Lake, WA 98837.