On March 30th 1939, Mark was born to Nathaniel and Secana Vinson in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was the second of four children and was raised in the fourth ward of Houston, Texas. He graduated from Kashmere Gardens High School. In 1959, he joined the U.S. Army as an enlisted member and met his future wife, Helen Henley. In 1960, they married and later welcomed twin daughters, Valerie and Vickie. In 1966, Mark went to Officer Candidates’ School (OCS) and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. Later that year, he was blessed with another daughter, Tracy.
Mark is a Vietnam Veteran who was promoted several times throughout his military career and eventually obtained the rank of Major. During this time, he completed a Bachelor of Science degree at Hampton Institute (University) in 1972, a Master of Business Administration degree and a Master of Science in Administration degree at George Washington University in 1978, and a Bachelor of Arts degree at Saint Leo College in 1979. He retired from the United States Army in 1980 after proudly serving for 21 years. That same year, Mark moved his family to Houston, Texas, where he attended Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. After graduating with his Juris Doctor in 1983, he went on to pass the Texas State Bar and was hired at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office that same year. He was promoted several times and eventually obtained the position of Chief Prosecutor. While at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, Mark mentored and left a positive influence on numerous attorneys. In 2005, he made history by becoming the first African American to retire from the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. He continued to practice law as a Criminal Defense Attorney and was also an Adjunct Professor at Texas Southern University. He was an active member of Windsor Village United Methodist Church and was on the board of Culture Awareness Ministry; an avid golfer and a member of the Greek fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha. Mark was also a devoted Dallas Cowboys fan.
Mark leaves behind his loving wife of 58 years: Helen A. Vinson, his three daughters: Valerie, Vickie and Tracy, his grandchildren: Kalen, Erica, and Mark IV, his son-in-law: Bruce Watson, his sister: Ladybyrd Johnson (James), his brother: Barney and a host of nieces and nephews and many friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and older sister, Bobbie Bee Rhodes.
A visitation will take place from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at American Heritage Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will take place at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at American Heritage Funeral Home, 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038.
