Mark Richard Lane

Mark Richard Lane. 36, of Kibler, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 18, 2024, surrounded by his family at Mercy Hospital in Perrysburg, Ohio from a rare and sudden lung disease. He was born January 5, 1988 in Fort Smith, to James and Penny (Fingerhut) Lane.

Mark had unbridled dedication to his career, obtaining his bachelor’s degree in broadcasting and communication at Rogers State University in Claremore, Oklahoma in 2011 — a launching pad to the orbit he’d inevitably reach. He’d then leave the comfortable confines of the Arklahoma area to perfect his craft with a move in late 2011 to the nation’s capital, where he was awarded a role with Voice of America.

The legacy Mark leaves behind in the field of broadcasting and journalism is no surprise to anyone who loved or ever met him, his blend of extreme work ethic always balanced with an ability to connect to those around him and his audience; and that was true no matter the position he occupied.

Whether it was an on-air role or one behind the scenes, his journey including Channel Five News in Fort Smith, Fox Sports Texarkana, and WFAA Channel 8 in Dallas, Mark was a lighthouse of energy and a testament to what’s required in the pursuit of greatness.

Eventually, he’d make the move to the Dallas-Fort Worth area to truly dig into his passion for sports journalism, to great success. He began covering the NFL in 2012 with bylines appearing on Fox Sports and Sports Illustrated’s network. His work has been cited by ProFootballTalk, Sporting News, and NFL.com.

Having established himself in that area, Mark agreed to take on the role of managing editor for USA Today’s Texans Wire covering the Houston Texans while simultaneously still contributing to the Dallas Cowboys’ coverage beat.

He never let go of his love for broadcasting and radio, though, also contributing weekly to several podcasts and radio shows on both beats and while never letting his illness be a reason he stopped climbing and contributing to his colleagues.

When he made the trip to the 2023 NFL Combine in Indianapolis with his oxygen tank in tow, it had never become more evident just how passionate Mark was about the career he’d dedicated his professional life to.

Also, one of the most gifted transcriptionists around, many of the most notable reporters and beat writers in both the region and the country have benefitted from his ability to churn through interviews and provide quotes that have appeared in thousands, if not tens of thousands, of articles across all platforms and outlets.

And yet, despite his tremendous value as not only a front-facing contributor but also as a part of the connective tissue of the industry, Mark is remembered just as much for his humility and cleverness as he is for being quick on the draw with accurate numbers and his ability to readily recall any point of NFL history.

News of his passing hit the industry like a meteor crashing into the earth below it, and an outpouring of memories immediately spilled out and onto every social media site to make sure the world understands what Mark meant to not only sports journalism and broadcasting, but also as one of the most genuine and compassionate individuals around.

Mark's favorite hobby and pastime was spending quality time with his family, either discussing trending topics or sharing old memories.

If he could have chosen one last thing to do before he departed for Heaven, it would have been to sit around a table with his mom, brothers, sister, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, in-laws and cousins on all sides, sharing stories about the good ol' days. Nothing meant more to him in life. He had an autobiographical memory and would dazzle his loved ones with times and dates right down to the day of the week. He was the family historian and documented as many family gatherings as he could on video over the years. For Mark, memories were a constant river that connected the past to the present, making the latter much more priceless thanks to the former.

When his father passed away in 2017, he moved back to Arkansas to take care of his ill mother who was bed-ridden with multiple sclerosis. He cared for her dutifully until his own hospitalization in October of 2022. He often said of the situation, "It is my honor to take care of my mom." It was a joy in his life and gave him added purpose in returning her love.

To know Mark was to love him unconditionally. He won’t simply be missed by many. He’ll be remembered by all.

Mark was a man known for his deep faith and convictions. The light of Jesus shined through him. His final words on this earth were, “Praise Jesus!”

Mark was preceded in death by his father, James Roland Lane, Sr.; his grandparents, Roland and Ratha Lane, Patricia Fingerhut, and Robert Fingerhut; and his beloved uncles, Richard Wrede (namesake), Pete Offill, Barrie Blood, Randy Fingerhut, and Frank Cochran.

Mark is survived by his mother, Penny Lane of Kibler, Justice of the Peace, District 8; his brothers, James (Angie) Lane, Jr. of Van Buren, Mickey (Brandee) Lane of Conroe, Texas; his sister Monica (Zach) Miller of Archbold, Ohio; his nieces and nephews Trey Lane, Mickey Lane, Jr., Shea Lane, Andrew Lane, Prudence Lane, Noah Lane, Gray Lane, Lydia Lane, Brady Miller, and Lillian Miller; his eight great-nieces and -nephews; his maternal aunts, Susan Wrede of Bellflower, Illinois, and Jenny Blood of Hamilton, Michigan; his paternal aunts, Lequetta (Alton) Yates of Kibler, and Betty Cochran of Madison, Alabama; his maternal Wrede cousins, Fingerhut cousins, Blood cousins, and Offill cousins; and his paternal Yates cousins, Cochran cousins, Burnham and Farnam first cousins once removed.

He is also survived by his best friend, Josh McKay and his beloved colleagues on both the Cowboys’ and Texans’ news beats.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at Gill Cemetery, under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR.

The family will visit with friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home, 4100 Alma Highway, Van Buren, AR. Viewing will be at the funeral home 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 27, 2024.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mark Lane Memorial Scholarship at www.givesendgo.com/marklanescholarship

Mark's wishes were that his mother also receive flowers and plants for anyone who feels led to comfort her in this way.