Mark Freeland Smith

Mark Freeland Smith, age 42, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. Mark was born on July 21, 1977 in Sandusky, Ohio to Steven F. and Kathryn (Graf) Smith. He graduated from Perkins High School in 1996 and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Real Estate from The Ohio State University in 2000. Upon graduation, Mark joined the Continental Real Estate Companies as a commercial broker. He was extremely grateful for the professional opportunities and personal friendships he built in his 20 years with Continental. He was also the founder and President of Concept Equity Development, an investment company that developed and managed real estate throughout Columbus. Of all his professional accomplishments, Mark was most proud of the childcare facilities he helped to build in Central Ohio, as he valued creating safe places where kids could learn and grow. Mark had a passion and talent for creating beautiful things and spaces. He could get fully encompassed in any project: renovating his home, detailing cars and boats, landscaping, or building furniture. He also enjoyed wakeboarding, attending concerts, and catching up with friends. Mark especially loved spending time with his family; trips to the zoo, museum, or just the park across the street were the highlights of each day. His generosity and lighthearted nature were his trademarks. Mark is survived by his loving wife, Ashley E. Smith, whom he married on March 1, 2014; daughters, Laney Claire and Teagan Elizabeth; parents, Kitty and Steve Smith of Sandusky; brother, Dale (Barbara) Smith of Cleveland; maternal grandfather, William (Patricia) Graf of Hemet, California; nephews, Jacob, Ryan, Milo, and Arthur; and many beloved, aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, James and Esther Smith; maternal grandmother and step-grandfather, Patricia and Louis Wilson; and aunt, Gloryann Roskilly. Family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 1740 Zollinger Road, Columbus, OH 43221. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 30, 2020 at St. Agatha Catholic Church, 1860 Northam Rd., Columbus, OH 43221. Memorial contributions may be made to the Smith Family Fund, c/o the Erie County Community Foundation, 135 East Washington Row, Sandusky, OH 44870 (eriefoundation.org), the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 Powell Rd., Powell, Ohio 43065 (give.columbuszoo.org), or the charity of your choice. Please visit www.schoedinger.com where you can share a special memory of Mark.