Born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on March 12, 1952, Mark excelled in both sports and studies throughout his life, but his true success came in 10th grade World History class when he finally asked out the love of his life. Following his brothers to Georgia Tech, he told that love, Pamela Metz, that she had to marry him because he had signed up for married housing. Upon graduating with straight A’s, he enjoyed a lifetime career at Shell Oil, finding friends in Traverse City, Michigan; Houston, Texas; and finally in Covington, Louisiana.
Raising two daughters, Molly and Sarah, he managed to stay sane through last-minute science projects, physics homework, school plays, recitals, track meets, and slammed doors. Over the last ten years, Mark, Pam, and their daughters have enjoyed Mark’s retirement together, traveling with Pam, yelling at the TV during football games with Molly, and battling for reward card points and stays with Sarah.
Mark had a true passion for life. Traveling the world, golfing the great courses, and enjoying the best of times with family and friends at wine dinners, Disney World, golf tournaments, Indy 500, Mardi Gras, Christmas bell lunches, rafting the Grand Canyon, charity events, and nights around the fire pit with a good bottle of wine.
Mark never met a person he couldn’t advise. He was silently sentimental, and was always supporting those who needed help. He loved good music, and his playlists have kept many a party or golf game going over the decades. Mark was quite proud of always carrying a koozie that would fit not only a can or bottle, but a glass as well, triumphantly pulling it from his pocket with a flourish. Not one for an Irish exit, Mark would stay until the last drop had been enjoyed. His family and friends are grateful for more than six decades with such a loving, bright, caring, lionhearted individual.
Mark was preceded in death by his father Fritz and mother Ozie, and brothers Fritz and Steve (Diane), as well as parents-in-law Carolyn and Bud Metz. He is survived by his wife Pam, his two children Molly Martin (David) & Sarah, granddaughter Sophie, his brothers Michael (Nancy) and Timothy (Fran), and sisters Bethany, and Melanie Spencer (Phillip), sisters-in-law Paula Cash (Chris) and Patti Case (Phillip), and many loving family members, including cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends he considered family.
A full life lived to the last drop will be celebrated on Saturday, March 7, 2020, beginning at 1:00 PM with a gathering of friends and family, followed by a sharing of memories and reception at Grace Funeral Home, 450 Holy Trinity Drive, Covington, LA, 70433. Not one for suits and ties in his off-time (though he did look handsome when he cleaned up), suggested dress code is casual – golf shirts, Hawaiian shirts, or anything else Mark loved. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity, or pay it forward in Mark’s name with a random act of kindness.
Remember, it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.
