Mark Alan Ricketts

Mark Alan Ricketts was born March 27, 1964 in West Lafayette, Indiana to Thomas Ricketts and Marian Young. He got into basketball early on due to his Indiana roots, as well as golf due to his stepfather, Tommy Young. As a native Memphian, Mark excelled in everything. Not only was he an All-State athlete, he was also a phenomenal student. Mark took his talents and versatility to Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. It was there that he found his love for the hotel business. Under the tutelage of Vann Herring, he graduated and took on his first challenge at the Holiday Inn in Atlanta, as General Manager. It was during those days that he found the love of his life, Lisa Gagliano, an employee working while she completed her degree. The two immediately hit it off and later became married on June 10th, 1989. From there they traveled while Mark managed one hotel after another growing their tribe and taking on new challenges. Mark took on project after project in the hotel business. Hotels struggling or succeeding were incredible opportunities for Mark to coach, mentor, and teach his teams. By 1998, Mark found himself back in his hometown of Memphis with Lisa and their four children: Zach, Erin, Jae, and Claire. He joined his father, Tom, in his budding new company, Master Hospitality Inc.. They enjoyed immense success with several hotels in the southeast. After Tom retired, Mark moved on to Equity Inns in Memphis which was later bought out by Goldman-Sachs. Once again, the family picked up and headed to Texas where they settled in Parker and have been residents ever since! Mark later joined with a former coworker, Phillip McNeill, and became the Chief Operating Officer of McNeill Hotel Company. During this time he created a winning team at work and saw all four of his children graduate college and go on to serve in admirable occupations. Before his battle with ALS, Mark was known for his dynamic leadership skills, electric public speaking paired with creative and elaborate costumes, and TRUE care of those around him. His final initiative with McNeill Company was “Be Significant”! In essence, Mark was not concerned with money and materialistic items, but rather establishing a family that looks after one another and gives back to each other - and THAT is a life well lived.

He is preceded in death by his stepfather, Tommy, and brothers, Jeff and Michael.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Lisa; their 4 children, Zach (Mary), Erin, Jae (Katelyn), and Claire; his mother, Marian; his father, Tom; his brothers, Greg (Allison) and Brian (Cindy); his sister, Amanda (Erik); and 2 grandchildren, Gianna and Callum.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The ALS Association of Texas are greatly appreciated.

“Shoot to get hot. Shoot to stay hot.”