Mark Allen Hatfield

Mark was born on April 29, 1965, to Floyd and Lola Hatfield in Gunnison, Colorado. Growing up, Mark loved and raised a variety of animals including a Shetland pony, rabbits, pheasants, chickens, geese and too many others to mention. He enjoyed hunting with his brothers as well as his dad’s love of boxing. Mark was a boxer with Colorado Golden Gloves and his family called him Sugar Ray Hatfield.

Growing up, he was very involved in his dad’s churches helping out with Vacation Bible School even by dressing up as a clown for the kids. Growing up in a Christian family and church, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at an early age.

In 1983, Mark graduated from Riverton High School in Riverton, Wyoming and went on to Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colorado to graduate with a Political Science degree in 1988. He had aspirations of being in politics some day to follow in the footsteps of a politician with the same name, Senator Mark Hatfield. During his college years he was involved in the Young Republicans. Mark furthered his education by attending Denver Paralegal Institute and graduated with a Paralegal degree in 1989.

After college, he enlisted in the United States Army. Mark served as a decorated Sharpshooter from May 1989 through May 1992, when he was honorably discharged. He fought for his country in Desert Storm, as a Fighting Vehicle Infantryman.

For the last 12 years, Mark has worked at the Gilpin Casino in Blackhawk, Colorado as Lead Cage Man. He was admired by all fellow employees. They were referred to as his working family. He lived with and cared for his mother, Lola since the passing of his father.

Mark was preceded in death by his son John Thomas, his daughter Svea Roseanne , his grandparents, father, two brothers, two sisters, and his niece.

His family understands that God is in control of every situation and is comforted by the knowledge of Mark’s salvation believing that Mark is in heaven, again spending time with his dad and brothers.

Mark was dearly loved and will truly be missed by his family and friends.