Mark Alan Friedman

He was born August 21, 1950, in the small town of Clarksdale, Mississippi. He was a long–time resident of the Dallas area. Most recently, he resided in Forney for 13 years. He was the son of Robert Stanley Friedman and Joyce Agruss Friedman, and is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Rozanne Friedman of Forney, TX; daughter Michele A. Friedman of Scottsdale, AZ ; brother Mitchell Friedman and wife Ann of Lake Forrest, IL; brother Max Friedman of El Segundo, CA; brother Harry Friedman and wife Nancy Ewing of Flower Mound, TX ; sister Marilyn (Friedman) Kelso and husband John of Burnet, TX, as well as a myriad of beloved Nieces and Nephews. He often enjoyed long phone calls and conversations with his family and friends from all over the country.

In his community of Forney, he was known as “The Forney Duck Man”, after a neighbor brought four baby ducks to the community pond. Mark quickly took to caring for them, and the ducks were known as “his ducks”. He was proud to teach the neighborhood children the importance of raising ducks and appreciating nature. Mark also loved his cats. He was a cat person from childhood. In addition to tending to his animals, Mark was active in the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 57. He enjoyed helping his fellow Veterans in need, and the camaraderie it brought him.

At a young age, Mark realized he had a passion and talent for music. He learned to play the keyboards, as well as various other Big Band instruments. His enjoyment for music was life long, even when his Arthritic hands could no longer play. His surviving spouse, Rozanne (Fleischer), recalls that his ability to play music is what ultimately caused her to fall in love. He even played the music for his own wedding in April of 1978. He eventually taught his daughter how to play the Clarinet, when she was in high school. He also served as Coach of her Pee Wee soccer team, The Candy Canes, when she was younger. Mark loved spending time with his daughter. Because of his daughter, Mark became an avid Texas Longhorns fan and enjoyed spending Saturdays watching UT football games with his family. He’s now giving one last Hook Em’ from Heaven.

Visitation will be held at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, with Funeral Service Thursday, July 18, in Sparkman/Hillcrest Chapel at 12:00 pm, followed by Committal at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery at 2:30 pm.

In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations in his honor to help Veterans in need. Please send donations to DAV: P.O. Box 1431 Cincinnati, OH. 45250-0301; Or The DFW Honor Guard, P.O. Box 743384 Dallas, TX. 75374.