John E. Andrist

John E. Andrist, former owner and publisher of The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, Omak, died early Sept. 25 at his home in Omak. He was 75.

Mr. Andrist was active in the news business for many years before suffering a paralyzing stroke in December 1993 that left him with locked-in syndrome, meaning his mind functioned normally but he could not speak. Through extensive therapy, Mr. Andrist was in the process of regaining limited speech.

He was born Dec. 25, 1931, and came to Okanogan County in the 1950s to teach at Pateros High School. He then went to work for The Chronicle, but left in 1966 for four years to write grants for county school districts.

He returned to The Chronicle in 1970 as part owner with Bruce and Merilynn Wilson and later bought out the Wilsons. Ownership changed again in 1979 when Mr. Andrist and Mary Koch were married.

They sold the paper in 1996, after Mr. Andrist's stroke.

Mr. Andrist was active in the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association during more than 20 years as a newspaper publisher. He served as the organization's president in 1991-1992.

The organization honored him with its Miles Turnbull master publisher award.

Before the stroke, he was active in the Okanogan Valley Orchestra and Chorus, Village Green Marching Society, Omak Chamber of Commerce, Okanogan County Sheriff's Posse, Okanogan County Fly Club, and a variety of other community and economic development organizations.

He was instrumental in helping mill employees purchase the Omak Wood Products mill through an employee stock ownership plan, and also was a founding member of the Okanogan County Council for Economic Development.

He served as caretaker for the Matsura photo collection, now held by the Okanogan County Historical Society, and printed most of the photos for JoAnn Roe's book, "Frank Matsura: Frontier Photographer."

He was a member of St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Omak.

Survivors include his wife, Mary, Omak; a son and daughter-in-law, John P. and Becki Andrist, Omak; three daughters and sons-in-law, Katie and Rick Montanez of Malott, Jean and Mark Gustafson of Selah, and Carolyn and Rich Clos of Vancouver; six grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

A memorial celebration was held Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Omak First Presbyterian Church.

Memorials are suggested to the Omak Performing Arts Center Foundation, P.O. Box 327, Omak 98841; Okanogan Valley Orchestra and Chorus, P.O. Box 1636, Omak 98841, or Okanogan County Historical Society, P.O. Box 1129, Okanogan 98840.