MARYSVILLE – Kris Passey, the publisher of the Marysville Globe and Arlington Times in the 1990s, died Nov. 27 of pancreatic cancer.

“Kris’s greatest joy came from the friendships and companionship of the people in his life. My heartfelt gratitude to all of you,” his wife, Catherine, said in an email to the newspapers Dec. 2.

After his company sold the Globe and Times, Passey went on to earn his master’s degree and then taught journalism at Western Washington University in Bellingham. More recently, he and Catherine relocated to suburban Washington, D.C., to be nearer their children and grandchildren.

In mid-November he was surprised to learn from his friends and colleagues at the Washington Coalition for Open Government that he was being given their highest honor, The Madison Lifetime Achievement Award, Catherine said. He was honored for his devotion to open records and meetings.

Also, the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation board voted to name one of its Olympia News Bureau internships in Passey’s honor. Passey was a former WNPA board member and was an early supporter of the Washington Coalition for Open Government.

“Kris was profoundly moved to be recognized by people he held in such high esteem,” Catherine said. “I am mentioning these honors not only because I am so proud of Kris, but also because it was his hope, and his family’s wish, that anyone who wishes to do something to honor his memory and to encourage the principles Kris held so dear will consider contributing to either of these two organizations.”

An account has been established by the WNPA Foundation to fund the Kris Passey internship. To honor him with a contribution, send a check to: WNPA Foundation, Kris Passey Fund, P.O. Box 389, Port Townsend, WA 98368.Those who wish to honor him with a contribution to WCOG can go to washingtoncog.org.