John W. Bechtholt March 16, 1947 – May 10, 2026

John Bechtholt, 79, of Tacoma, Washington, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2026. John was a devoted husband and father, a trusted colleague, a loyal friend, and a familiar face in his community.

Born on March 16, 1947 in Tacoma, Washington to John Phillip Bechtholt and Frances Irene Westlake, John grew up on the North End of Tacoma, where he attended Wilson High School, graduating in 1966, making lifelong friendships during those years. Even as a teenager, John had a flair for the classic and the mechanical: he and his father lovingly restored a 1929 Ford Model A, and he proudly drove it to school every day.

John went on to earn his undergraduate degree from Washington State University in 1970, where he became a diehard Cougar fan, a devotion that never wavered. He later earned his law degree from the University of Oregon and was licensed to practice law in the State of Washington.

His professional career was diverse and distinguished. He worked in finance and accounting before going on to serve as President and CEO of Tapco Credit Union, a role he held with great pride for 18 years, and through which he earned deep trust from the local community. He was also active in property development across the greater Tacoma region and supported small business development throughout his career.

John was engaged in the civic life of his community, serving on the Civil Service Board of Fircrest and supporting many state and local political candidates over the years. He believed in showing up for the places and people he loved.

John had a reserved, quietly English sensibility about him, one of the many things that drew in his wife Ann and brought them together. Those who knew him well knew the warmth that lived just beneath the surface. He had a smile that lit up a room and a signature wink that said more than words ever could. He was happiest over morning coffee with good friends, standing knee-deep in a river with a fly rod in hand, or admiring classic sports cars at a show. The Austin Healeys he once drove remained his favorites. John's happy place was Sun Valley, Idaho, where life slowed down the way he liked it. There he could fish to his heart's content, watch his son Mark work the river, hunt for treasures in the local shops, and revisit the memories he had spent a lifetime making there.

He was a loving husband to his wife Ann, whom he married on August 29, 1981. His absence leaves a hole in her life impossible to fill. John was also a proud father to his son Mark and daughter-in-law Jenna, and a friend to more people than most of us will ever know. He will be remembered for his steadfastness, loyalty, and generosity.

John Bechtholt lived a full, rich, and meaningful life. He will be deeply missed.