Mark Gregory Lehman

Mark Gregory Lehman, brother, son, friend, family leader, spiritual advisor, storyteller, screenwriter, statesman and Texan, passed away at his home in Austin, Texas on Monday, August 7, 2023. He was eleven days shy of his 68th birthday.

Mark was born in Austin, TX on August 18, 1955 to parents, Daniel Lehman and Genevieve Davis Lehman. He graduated from Westlake High School in 1974 and later attended Texas State University (formerly Southwest Texas University) and the University of Texas in Austin.

Gregarious, always positive and full of charm, Mark established deep connections with the people he touched along his journey. His life resembled a triangular pyramid with a strong and stable base and three balanced points - politics, family, and charity.

Mark began his political career when he was elected to the Texas Republican Party’s Executive Committee which was focused on getting more Republicans placed in office. In 1988, Mark began working as Campaign Director for Texan, Beau Boulter, in his successful bid for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. This was Mark's first, but not last, time to direct a political campaign. In 1992, he served as Campaign Director for Florence Shapiro, Mayor of Plano, TX, in her successful bid for a position in the Texas Senate. He later helped John Cornyn with a successful run for Texas Attorney General in 1997.

Mark’s next opportunity in politics came in 1998 when he joined the Texas Association of Realtors (“Association”) as its Director of Governmental Affairs. His work with the Association and the national organization known as Realtors Political Action Committee (“RPAC”) allowed Mark to actively lead a large and highly successful, bipartisan group of realtors in protecting the interests of the real estate industry through local, state and national lobbying efforts. Mark retired from the Texas Association of Realtors in 2019 to focus on writing and charity work.

While he authored several screenplays for movies and television, Mark is best known for his blog, "The Shoebox Chronicles", that later became a book enjoyed by thousands of readers. This rich collection of short stories based on old family letters which Mark found in a shoebox while cleaning out his parent's house is a testament to his passionate belief that “the wisdom, mistakes and traditions of our past will be lost forever if our experiences are not saved and passed to the next generation through written words. These are the foundations of any great society, religious movement, or family history.”

When not engaged in literary pursuits, Mark had a brave talent for finding shared humanity with people, even strangers, within minutes. He was loved for being exceptionally generous and fun. Being in Mark’s presence raised the pitch of life for everyone around him. Even after being diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer requiring major surgery and undergoing a heart valve replacement less than two years later, Mark remained upbeat. He credits his focus on "doing God’s will for the greater good”, his service as President of the Trinity Center, a faith-based organization serving the homeless and spending time on the Board of the Riverbend Church Foundation with carrying him through these tough times. He will always be remembered as a wise adventurer who would light up a room without the need to be the center of attention.

Mark was predeceased by his parents, Daniel Lehman and Genevieve Davis Lehman. He is survived by his bothers David C. Lehman and Thomas D. Lehman, several uncles, aunts and cousins, countless lifelong friends and his beloved cat, Addison.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Friday, August 25, 2023 at 10:30 AM

at Riverbend Church, 4214 North Capital of Texas Highway, Austin, Texas 78746

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Riverbend Foundation or to the charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wcfishnorth.com for the Lehman family.