Joan was born in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, to Leslie and Edna (Thayer) Crawford on May 23, 1932. She had an older sister and would have three younger brothers. She lived in Colorado until she and her sister came to Washington to live with their mother and stepfather.
While going to school in Onalaska she met and married James C. Tryon. She and Cliff had three children: Carol, Linda, and Lloyd. Joan and Cliff were divorced when their children were young.
After another brief marriage, Joan moved to Chehalis to work. Never having liked the name Joan, she became Joann, though she remained Joan to her family.
While working in Chehalis, Joann met and married John W. Clark Jr., and she also gained a stepdaughter. Joann and John were married 33 years until his death in 2001.
Joann spent the last 20 years with her companion, James McCoy. He survives her at her home.
She is also survived by her daughters, Carol (Dennis) Wherry and Linda (Pete) Wherry; sister, Joyce Brown; brother Lynn (Kathleen) Crawford; stepdaughter, Gina Stirling; grandchildren, great-and great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband John; both her parents and their spouses; an infant brother; brother Les Crawford; son, Lloyd Tryon; a niece; a nephew; and many extended family members.
Joann worked in restaurants all of her working life and loved to be around people. If she had met you, you were her friend. Joann also loved sequins, sparkles, ruffles and embellishments in general. Please feel free to wear your sparkles to her service.
A potluck celebration of life gathering will be held June 22, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Onalaska Elementary gym. The family will have a private interment following her service.
My soulmate,
You are like the rose
You always had a shining glow
And your love did always show
Love you Always,
James McCoy
