In Loving Memory

Benjamin "Ben" Ryan Nash

Benjamin "Ben" Ryan Nash, a beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend passed away on July 19, 2022 at the age of 37.

He was born at home to Sid and Arline Nash on February 15, 1985. Around his 2nd birthday, Ben was diagnosed with Type 1/Juvenile Diabetes and began his relationships with hospitals and medical professionals. By the time Ben was 3 years old, he'd began to have seizures. At 8 years old, he spent the summer at Children's Hospital in Seattle, WA due to uncontrollable seizures and a seizure medication that was later discovered to be toxic for him. He recovered fully and the next summer, he was showing a friend how Grandpa's table saw worked…which got him a LifeFlight back to Children's Hospital, to save his fingers. Success! He loved to show off this healed fingers. At around 12 years old, medical science had progressed to the point that Ben was diagnosed with Mitochondrial Disease, which, it turns out is the "umbrella" disease for all his medical issues and included the developmental delays, small stature and eventual death.

For several years, Ben worked at Goodwill Industries in Walla Walla, WA. He enjoyed his job and the people he worked with there.

Ben liked helping and being around people, soon volunteering became his absolute favorite type of work.

In College Place WA, he helped in the Kindergarten Division at church. He got to dress up each week and be part of the program. He loved the leaders and the kids. It was one of his all-time favorite jobs.

Ben also volunteered at the Humane Society in Walla Walla, as well as the Whitman Mission National Parks Historic Site. Perhaps that's where his love for the National Parks began.

When Ben and his parents moved to the Colville, WA area, he began looking for other volunteering opportunities. The Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area near Kettle Falls became his favorite place during the summer season. He loved to dress up in the uniform and his walkie-talkies and then helping the staff and visiting campers. Purest joy! During the remainder of the year, he volunteered at Habitat for Humanity in Colville. He was especially delighted with the prospect of dressing up like Santa Claus and handing out candy canes to the shoppers. He loved that and planned for it all year.

During the summer, Ben and his Dad would go on long camping trips to different National Parks. Ben LOVED these trips. He was able to collect many Junior Ranger badges and stamps in his Parks Passport book. He took lots of pictures and gathered information about each park. Ben wanted to spread the love for the National Parks to everyone. With all the pictures, gathered information and the help of a friend, Ben was able to do several presentations about the National Parks.

Other things that Ben enjoyed includes collecting and watching movies and old TV shows. He enjoyed knitting scarves on his knitting loom which he sold and gifted. Sometimes it was making air dry clay projects and he even did a few embroidery art projects.

Ben is survived by his parents Sid and Arline Nash, at home in the mountains North of Colville WA, his siblings, David (Mandy) Nash, in Ridgefield, WA, Jessica "May" Nash and Matthew Nash, both in Portland, OR. Also, surviving Ben, are grandparents, Dave and Shar Griffith in Caldwell, ID, four aunts, Carol Trujillo in Sun City AZ, Lora (Cliff) Hendrickson in Pendleton, OR, Deanna (Curtis) Washington in Brisbane CA and Lia Griffith in Portland, OR plus 9 cousins.

There will be a Celebration of Ben's Life for friends and family on Sunday, August 21st, 2022, at 3pm. Please join us at the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, Kettle Falls Locust Grove Group Site.

After a short service, there will be time to share memories of Ben and a potluck supper. Table service and water will be provided. Bring food to share and/or food to meet your own needs and a chair or blanket to sit on.