Mark Wesley Kingham, age 90, peacefully passed away on Saturday, October 22, 2022. Mark was born on September 20, 1932 to James Matthew and Dicey Alvis (Davenport) Kingham. He married Naomi Ruth Plotts on November 16, 1952 before leaving for the Navy, and was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida. After discharge, they moved back to Lake Charles and started their family. Later on, they moved to Gillis and lived there for over 30 years, eventually moving back to enjoy the Verandah Retirement Community in south Lake Charles.
Mark has always loved to plant the most beautiful gardens, learning the ins and outs of gardening from his father. He loved to till the ground, plant the seeds, use his hoe and shovel and run the cultivators. His harvests would be large enough to share with family and friends. His specialties were green beans, tomatoes, potatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, corn and his prized watermelons. Naomi would make huge batches of dill pickles, steaming the kitchen with all the delicious smells of canning.
Mark and his family moved to a ten-acre tract of land on Mattie Reeves Road in Gillis in the 1980s and built their beautiful A-frame house. It was his joy and delight when he purchased his beloved big blue Ford tractor where he spent hours mowing and tending to the bigger gardens. He nurtured his land to look like a Garden of Eden. He also enjoyed it even more when his children came to live on the property in their own new homes that he helped build.
Mark retired from Gulf States Utility Company (Entergy) where he had been the unit supervisor at the plant for many, many years. He loved his job and the people he worked with, always coming home to tell funny stories of the events of the day.
He loved every moment of his life but most of all, he loved his family unconditionally and was fully involved in their lives. He always had his favorite party shirt that he would wear to all the birthdays. He dearly loved his grandchildren, always playing with them, telling them scary stories only to scare them and then make them all laugh, making so beautiful memories, celebrating one decade after another. He was married to the love of his life, Naomi for sixty-eight and a half years.
Those left to cherish memories of Mark are their three children, Pamela Kingham George (Paul), Bobby Kingham (Stephanie), and Sean Kingham (Regina) along with one brother, George Kingham and sister-in laws, Shirley Kingham and Anna Thompson and one brother-in-law, Rev. Phillip Plotts. (Penny), along with numerous nieces and nephews.
He also leaves a legacy of:
15 grandchildren: David George (Kim), Debbie Roberts (Al), Sheree George, Stephanie Fletcher (Chad), Jason Seal (Karen), Jamie Seal, Rex Kingham, Lacey Doxey (Aaron), Cody Kingham (Kathryn), Maggie Pankurst (Justin), Sarah Baggett (Andrew), Savanah Roberts (Scott), Morghan Dimas, Kyler Dimas, and Tate Dimas.
24 great grandchildren: Mark Kingham, Neva Kingham, Leigha Doxey, Judah Doxey, Josiah Blake Doxey, Brayden Seal, Kayley Seal, Jack Seal, Levi Seal, Amelia Seal, Jacob Fletcher (KaiLee), Nathan Fletcher, Tyler Fletcher, Garrett Fletcher, Natalie Fletcher, Cameron Pankhurst, Rayna Kingham, Bailey Pugh and Jameson Pugh, Bryce George (Haley), Lance George, Devin VanMaanen (Rachel), Mackenzie Himmelman (Tyler), Cassidy Roberts (Megan)
3 great-great-grandchildren: Aubrey VanMaanen, Hazel VanMaanen, and Ottilly Himmelman.
Heaven rejoiced in welcoming him, and he has reunited with his loving wife, Naomi Ruth Plotts Kingham, parents; James and Alvis Kingham, parents-in-law; Rev. and Mrs. Morris and Neva Plotts; his brothers; Albert (Shirley) Kingham and James Matthew Kingham II (Betty Jo) and sister and brother- in- laws, Rev. and Mrs. Glenn and Marilyn Plotts Ford and Rev. and Mrs. Charles and Virginia Plotts Holt, great granddaughter Naomi Claire Doxey and several other "little ones" he has longed to meet, along with scores and scores of friends.
When Mark entered the pearly gates he was promptly greeted by his beloved and loyal companion : Jake the boxer. Of this we are sure because all dogs go to Heaven.
A visitation for Mark will be held Sunday, October 30, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Hixson Lake Charles, 3001 Ryan St., Lake Charles, LA 70601. A visitation resumes will occur Monday, October 31, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. A funeral service will occur Monday, October 31, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Preparing the Way Ministries, 3545 Heard Rd., Lake Charles, Louisiana 70605. A graveside service to follow on Monday, October 31, 2022 at Highland Memorial Gardens, 6325 Common St, Lake Charles, LA 70607.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.JEHixson.com for the Kingham family.
