Mark Tucker MITCHELL
Seattle will miss its longtime restaurant, nightclub, casino, actor, newspaper and poker legend entrepreneur who fell asleep to the Lord September 23, 2014 in his longtime Ballard home. Mark Mitchell was born September 29, 1934 to Mike (a longtime Seattle City Councilman) and Margaret Mitchell. Raised in Ballard, Mark loved all his childhood memories, including playing sports in a quaint park off 34th Street that would fuel his love for competition his entire life! Mark stayed active in athletics throughout his Ballard High School days where he played baseball, and continued to play and coach baseball and softball well into his later years.
He worked at his father’s paper, The Ballard Tribune, where he sold ads and wrote a column called “Mark This.”
On a trip around the world with his best friend, Bud Innis, he discovered Seattle had a long way to go to become what he called a “Big Time City.” After returning from his trip Mark married the love of his life, the girl next door, JoAnn. He left employment at his fathers’ paper to start a run of restaurant and nightclub openings that is unparalleled in the Northwest. Shire Tavern, Golden Tides, Sandpiper, Easy Street, Arabian, Jilly’s East, Pier 70, Frenchy’s, Top of The Ocean, Raintree, Quinn’s, Charlie’s at Shilshole, DiMaggio’s, The Raven, Windjammer, Spinnakers, Beach House, Sharkey’s, Buddy’s Homesick Cafe, Black Jack Café, Debby’s Drift On Inn and Club Hollywood!

In the midst of this legendary run of successful eateries and nightspots, Mark became a trained actor, training with Lee Strasburg in California. He had roles in Harry and The Henderson’s, Fever Pitch, Northern Exposure and Black Widow. Then with his free time, Mark played poker at the highest level. His career included 12 World Series of Poker cashes, 1 World Series of Poker bracelet with 5 top 10 finishes in World Series of Poker events, including his 1st place in the Limit Ace to Five draw event! Mark is survived by his wife of 45 years, JoAnn; their sons, Bobby (Karen), Michael and Quinn, and daughter, Debbie Hubbell (William); 13 grandchildren; and his brother, David of Ballard. Mark could tell you a million stories that would hold your attention as you hung on every word, but his most loved topic was his family! A husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother and a mentor to so many, he will be missed.

The family will hold a celebration of Mark’s life Saturday, November 22, 2014, from 2–5 pm, at the Shilshole Beach Club (formally Spinnakers), 6413 Seaview Ave. NW, Seattle, WA 98107.

Guestbook: www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes

Published in The Ballard News Tribune Section of The Westside Weekly October 10, 2014