Joseph "Joe" E. Pless

Joseph Edward Pless of Wenatchee, a confident rebel who took life by storm, loved his family beyond description, ran his classroom with discipline and grace, died March 5th, 2017 at the age of 89. Making his way into the world on his grandmother’s dining room table in Cle Elum, WA October 12, 1927, Joe was never about fanfare. He graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1946 and headed straight off to serve his country during world War 2 and the occupation in Japan. Upon his return home he resumed his education at Central Washington College of Education where he graduated from in 1951. Education was a vital part of his life throughout his upbringing. Joe earned his Bachelor’s of Education and launched right into teaching and coaching. Connecting with students and staff alike, his passion for education was unrivaled. At the advice of a close friend, Joe agreed to a blind date where he met the love of his life, Ann. Their courtship lasted but a minute before they were married and moved to Cheney, WA where Joe endeavored to earn his Master’s in Education with an emphasis on Outdoor Education. There were late night study sessions, papers typed with carbon paper, and many pots of coffee consumed in order to endure the rigors of a successful completion of Eastern Washington State Colleges' master’s program. In August of 1970, Joe graduated and with fervor he and Ann stepped into the next phase of their life together. Both Joe and Ann were offered teaching positions in the Wenatchee valley. “Yes” was a foregone conclusion. Complete with their dreams and canine companion, they moved from Cheney to Wenatchee and embarked on their new careers eventually making it home for their soon to be family. Joe and Ann raised two daughters on “the ranch” in Sunnyslope where Joe had an apple orchard. An animal lover at heart, Joe’s family also included anywhere from 2 to 5 dogs and 3 to 19 cats at any given time. Teaching and coaching for more than 3 decades, Joe’s role in shaping and changing lives of students he taught continues today. He is best know for teaching 6th grade at Washington Elementary School. He was a leader among his colleagues, a teacher in and outside the classroom and a parent figure to many of his students. When Joe wasn’t “borrowing (without permission)” a school bus to take his 6th graders fishing for an outdoor education lesson, Joe spent his weekends hunting and fishing with his loyal canines. Throughout the course of Joe’s outdoor escapades, he successfully hunted grouse, quail, duck, pheasant, deer, elk, antelope, buffalo and caribou. The one that got away was a bear. While Joe enjoyed hunting with modern fire arms, he was an avid muzzle loader, buckskins and all. He enjoyed rendezvous all over the state meeting up with other muzzle loaders for competition shooting. While Joe did exceedingly well at these competitions, one would never know given his humble spirit. Living on with the spirit of Joe are his three daughters. Jane Pless of Blaine, WA, Julie Pless of Tucson, AZ, and Kim Block of Medford, OR. His wife Ann predeceased him in 2014. If you care to make a donation in Joe’s honor, please donate to the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society, Wenatcheehumane.org or 509-662-9577. A service celebrating Joe Pless is being held on Tuesday March 14, 2017 at 11 AM. Jones & Jones-Betts Memorial Chapel is where we will gather. Please join us. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guest book at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements are by Jones & Jones – Betts Funeral Home.

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Joseph "Joe" E. Pless

October 12, 1927 - March 5, 2017