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If you would like to add a story or photo, please email them to japomani@hotmail.com

Cartoon superhero drawn by Mark

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Sponsors for Mark the Great Benefit 5k

We have some fabulous prizes for the Raffle for the 5k! Below is a list of sponsors who have donated! Thanks Everyone!

Sponsors
Condie Construction
La Casita
Ruby River
Walmart-Springville
IHC
Northstar Printing Company
Allstar Sanitation
Marc Penrod
Anytime Fitness
Crisps
Photography by Jocelin
Wink Photography
Costa Vida
Gingers Garden Café
MVP Sports
Pediatric Dental Care
Little Ceasars
Stadium Cinemas
Pizza factory
Mi Rancherito
Presitge hair
Prim rose retreat
Maceys
Segal book
Spanish 8 movie
Bajio
Cal Rach
Michael Bennett DDS
Alpine Air
Mary Kay
Spanish Oaks
Tyler Ashman DDS
Funfinitty
Rumbi Grill
East Bay Golf
Zubs
Little Giant Latter
Complete Bowling Service
papa kelseys pizza
Agel cares
Central utah clinic
Dan Dansie DDS
Zubs Pizza
Payson Market
Bona signs
Flyer and T-shirt Design by Rachael Gibson
Maceys
Little Caesars Pizza
www.teeshirtsrus.net
Sentsy-Tonjnelle Halladay
Kate and Donna- Home Purse Parties

Some of the Raffle Prizes Include:
Gym memberships
Polar Heart Rate Monitor
Spa Passes
Ipods
Remote Soccer games
Movie Passes
Hair Salon Gift certificate
Dentist gift Certificates
Grocery gift certificates
Walmart gift certificates
Dutch Oven
Golfing including the cart
Professional Teeth Bleaching
Family Photography Packages
Bowling ball
Little Giant Latter
Free wisdom teeth removal
Free teeth whitening
BBQ grill
Purses
Restaurant gift Certificates: Costa Vida, La Casita, Pizza Factory, Rumbi Grill. Gingers Cafe,Bajio, Mi Rancherito, Ruby River
All Star Sanitation

Special Thanks to all our sponsors who also donated anonymously!

Memories of a friend

(I got this letter from Mark's wife and I am not sure who wrote it. I apologize for not including your name at this point but will put it up as soon as I get it.)

"How saddened I am by Mark's passing! My sister, who worked in a fast food restaurant with Mark in high school summed it up well when I told her the news. She said "The world is a less happy place without Mark in it." He brightened up every room he entered.

I knew him for about 30 years. I was a year behind him in high school. I remember him ripping off one-armed push-ups to "Eye of the tiger" in a high school pep assembly while every girl in the gym screamed her head off. I envied him that day."

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Here are a few words from a friend of Mark's Casey Pratt

Just a short note about your brother. I moved to utah in 2002 and bought an existing landscape company in Utah County. I knew absolutely nobody! I had been a police officer for 10 years and that was all i knew how to do...but because my family needed a life change and because if i stayed where i was i had a good chance of getting killed...so here i came to UTAH...I met Mark the first week i was here. Instantly he was that friend you had back in high school. We talked like we had just been on a fishing trip the week before. He was awesome. From that time on i often called him for help and advice, and even though we competed on getting the same job, he always helped me out...to this day i do not know of another landscaper that i would call a friend or one that i actually respect. I think when i was a cop i actually delt with more homest and good people than some of the contractors in UT.

I was out of town when Mark passed away. I had a million missed calls but no one left a message. I did not learn of his passing until the day of the funeral. Infact, I had an appointment to meet Mark for lunch that day, because he wanted to talk to me about selling me some pipe for some large projects we have coming up...I was so shocked. I am not a funeral goer, i really struggle at those things, so i apologize for not meeting you or his family in person and sharing my condolences.

Mark was one of a kind, but you know that. What a great man. We are so fortunate to have known him, and we are fortunate that there will be another reunion someday.
Please express my love to Marks family and to yours.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Here is a post by Hillary Hall Kelshaw a friend of one of Mark's Daughters


Heidy and I became instant best friends from the moment Mark's family moved into our ward over 20 years ago. I fit right in to the family because my name started with an "H" too. The Richardson family adopted me as one of their own and took me on camp outs, outings, and family trips. I was able to go up and have Family Home Evening with them quite often with Home-made pizza and Rootbeer. One thing that I remember about Mark through all of these things was his never-ending patience with his girls. If Holly and Heidy were arguing, or doing something that he didn't like, Mark would say, "I bet that Hillary's parents don't have to tell her to stop arguing with her brother," or "I bet Hillary doesn't act like this for her parents." I hated it back then, but now I realize how patient and calm he was in those situations instead of just snapping at the girls.

The other thing that I noticed about him right from the beginning, was how much he loved Lynn. This was obvious, even to a six-year-old, and the love and respect that he always showed her was a good example for me and his girls to strive for in a spouse.

Whether I was helping Holly and Heidy do chores or helping put in a sprinkler system in a someones yard, Mark always had a way of making work enjoyable with his corny jokes and the stories he would tell.

I never got a chance to tell him how much I appreciated him being my other dad for so many years. I loved and admired him just as much as I do my own dad and I feel so bad because I am very sure that I never told him that.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Memories from classmate
My name is George Robertson and I was in 6th through 12th grades with Mark. The friendships that are made in Middle/Jr. High school gym class are sort of like the bonds between soldiers in combat. lt was so much fun for all of us boys, entertaining ourselves as we waited for our turn in roll call being way down at the end of the line, and Mark had such a great sense of humor, both as a contributor and appreciating others attempts. Many of us still call him “Macho Mark” because he sometimes wore a yellow shirt with the word “Macho” emblazoned on the front.

We ran against each other for a student office one time and each of us were to give a speech to the student body. I gave my little spiel titled “Vote for Me!” for a few minutes and then it was Marks turn. He got up and said, “I think George would do a good job and you should all vote for him” and sat down. I lost (I don’t think I had a chance anyway), but did not and could not feel bad at all.

There is the “Horse Whisperer” and then the “Dog Whisperer.” Mark is a “People Whisperer.” He knows how to make everybody feel good, and to treat people with respect and not be judgmental or critical. He inspires me to do better and gives hope that I can. Like the guy in the Bible, he received five talents and returned ten. He knows instinctively how to cultivate joy and it spreads all around. I sometimes have a hard time getting along with people, but can always get along well with Mark because of the way he is. The fictional sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond” could not match the reality of “Everybody Loves Mark.” Dale Carnegie could add a few more chapters to “How to Win Friends and Influence People” or even rewrite the book if he observed Mark for a few days. I think we could all claim the privilege of Best Friends Forever, as he made us all feel like we were his best friend, and he would be happy to be so.

Thoughts About the Funeral

Anyone who visited the viewing and funeral will agree that Mark was a very loved guy. Usually when a person passes away everyone thinks about the positive and shares positive memories but with Mark that is all he was. While standing talking to people at the viewing and the funeral everyone told me about how they had just seen Mark and how he had helped them or took the time to talk to them. He was always interested in other people and usually had a person laughing within seconds of meeting them.

People started coming to the viewing 20 minutes early. It was at a church so we were prepared with a lot of space for waiting but I don't think anyone was prepared for what happened next. The family and Mark were waiting in the relief society room the line formed and wound through the halls of the church then through the chapel and eventually started to form outside. When it began to wind around the building outside a few of us became worried. It was hot and people were standing for hours. The Bishopric pulled everyone in from outside and had them sit in the chapel but soon the chapel filled and the line still went outside around the building. We figured that there were about 2000 people that came through.

Throughout the halls we had tables set up with things that people had said about Mark and pictures of the family. I noticed lots of people reading them. There were lots of tears and broken hearts that came through that church. Lynn, Mark's wife, smiled and hugged and cried with the people that came through.

There was peace there.

The viewing once again started early before the funeral the next day. People lined the halls to say one final farewell to a dear friend and loved one.

His family went into the room for one final good bye. The hardest part of any funeral for the family is the closing of the casket. His little family cried and hugged each other and their father. One of them had put a small ceramic lighthouse in his hand probably symbolic of something for the family. Amid sobs and sniffs and after the family prayer they closed the casket and began to push the casket out to the chapel while hundreds waited. Marks youngest 11 year old son wanted to help push the casket so he was the first out followed by Mark's wife and kids and family.

The funeral began with "Families can be together forever" and a prayer by Lynn's brother, Marks brother-in-law from Texas and then was opened by the bishop. Mark's 14 year old son shared Mark's life sketch. The first speaker was Sam, Mark's brother, who shared some great information on the atonement. He also talked about some memories he had of Mark. Sam had taken our Volkswagen bus for a spin in the field and had ran it to the ditch. He ran to Mark knowing that his big brother was strong enough to pull the van out of the ditch.

He also shared a story about when Mark wanted to tease his roommate so he took two pies to the cute girls that lived downstairs. He told them one was for them if they brought the other one up to him at a certain time when his roommate was home. They delivered the pies as planned and asked for Mark at the door. His roommate's jaw dropped open. Mark did it again the next day, and again the pies were delivered. Another funny part about this story is that the girls came back the third night to Mark's surprise with a pie that they had baked.

Although I don't remember the order exactly One of Marks daughters shared her fathers day talk. She talked about how Mark was not her real father but she met him when she was 5-6. Her mom had been a single mother for a while. Mark was different right away. When he would bring her mom flowers he would also bring one each for the girls. They would get to go on the dates with him and their mom and when they didn't he would pay for the babysitter. When Mark asked her mom to marry her this daughter got mad at her mom because she didn't say yes right away. Later when the two older daughters were married they highered a lawyer and adopted their own Dad. He cried and said he always felt like they were his anyway. The judge and the court proceeding thanked Mark. He said he sat day after day in that court room watching men trying to get out of the responsibility of supporting their children, it was nice to see someone fight so hard to to take on that responsibility. This daughter shared the country song "I hope I am half the dad that he didn't have to be."

Some grandchildren sang a beautiful song. Then another daughter shared a poem written by Mark for his wife on their 8 year anniversary. After his two remaining daughters shared some fun stories and jokes that their dad would share. They talked about how his new years resolution was to touch a life and then they had everyone stand up who had been influenced by Mark. The whole congregation rose. Nearly 1000 people stood with tears in their eyes. At that point I felt chills and amazement.

By the end we had all laughed and cried and felt inspired to change our lives.

For me personally as his little sister, I knew that I wasn't where I am supposed to be in life. Mark had lead an example of how to follow the example of the savior.

We closed with "God be with you till we meet again." and we left to go to the cemetery. Jared, my husband, dedicated the grave. We all placed flowers on the casket and said our last good byes. One daughter reached over the casket to give a camera to a cousin. The camera fell under the casket and went down into the cement box far below. There was a moment of shock and then chuckles as those who had seen what happened tried to figure out how to get it out. the casket was moved slightly to the side and Mark's 11 year olf son was lowered by the ankles to retrieve the camera. He stood up,brushed himself off and said "Well I have had enough excitement for one funeral." A perfect ending to Mark's fun, loving life and funeral.

Among all this I remembered standing in the mortuary. It was the first time we had all been together as a family since Mark's passing. We surrounded his body as he lay in his burial clothes. We all cried and looked down at him. I looked up. In my minds eye I could see my Dad and Mark standing there with us. My dad's hand on Marks shoulder saying "It's ok Mark, this is a process they will have to go through." This is hard. We loved him very much. He made us laugh, he made us better. I know there is a great plan that is bigger than this existence. That there is a purpose. At first I found no peace in this, but now my heart and soul have found strength and joy in my brother. I can go forward knowing that I can be better and do better. I can count knowing Mark as one of the miraculous blessings and tender mercies that the good Lord has given me in my life. Christ lives and so will we all once again.

Monday, July 6, 2009

A post from a cousin Melinda Balif Odencrantz
What an amazing man your brother/son was! I knew how much he meant to me, but the tribute from everyone else was amazing. We all are truly blessed to have had him in our lives, even if it was to short. My deepest condolences go out to you and your families.

What an amazing send off for him and tribute. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Melinda

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Incredible!!! The viewing.

When our dad died 2 years ago (this is from Mark's Sister) I never thought I would see a bigger viewing or funeral but now I think I have. So many people came out to the viewing tonight. The halls of the church quickly filled and wrapped through the building. Soon they opened the chapel and people sat while they waited and filled the chapel all the while the line continued to wrap through the halls and out around the building. So many people with tears in their eyes told me about the "time" when Mark helped them, or made them laugh or sat with them in a time of need. I am guessing over 2000 people came but I am not sure. What a tribute to a great man! Thank you everyone we are comforted with your love and prayers.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Memories from Mark's Little Sister

This is a post by Susan Richardson Chapman
My earliest memories of Mark are when he was young and like a giant to me. I remember his big muscles. He would walk by me and tenderly give me a little punch in the shoulder. I must have been 7. I decided that I would give him a punch one time back. His arm felt like it was made of steel and as I punched him back my knuckle popped. He laughed and I laughed. He was always such a good looking guy and easy to laugh. I remember watching him adoringly and being so proud when someone would say “Are you Mark’s little sister?” I remember him having friends over and a fire pit in our back yard with them. I always idolized him and wanted to be just like him.

He once had friends over and they rented a VCR (back before everyone owned one) and took the Television and VCR outside to watch a movie. There were bugs all over the screen. He took bug repellent and sprayed the TV and VCR. The VCR stopped working. Needless to say, we had a VCR before anyone else in Benjamin after that.
I loved watching and helping him make his home videos when he was young. What a treasure.

When he was gone on his mission he sent a tape home to us. I held the hand recorder up to my little ear and just cried and listened to his voice. I missed him so much. That says a lot about what kind of brother he was.

He shared a story about when he was on his mission and he and his companion were tracking. They came upon a group of guys that were trying to tear a phone book in half. Mark asked them if they would listen to what they (the missionaries) had to say if he could tear a phone book in half. The guys all laughed and watched first skeptically and then with sheer astonishment as this young missionary in his suit and tie took the phone book in both hands and ripped it down the middle. He didn’t say that any one converted to the church because of this but they sure were shocked and amazed.

As I was leaving on my mission he gave me some money. I remember not wanting to take it but he wanted me to have it. He was supporting a large very young family at the time. I still remember him with the money his hand out stretched.

On my mission he wrote to me and asked me to pray for his new business move. I did which seemed to go well for him. When I got home he took me to lunch. He knew the oddness that I was feeling as a new return missionary.

When we moved into our apartment he was by himself and showed up to help my husband and I move. He muscled our extremely heavy treadmill into the apartment by himself. He was so strong, incredibly strong. He helped us with two more moves after that one more time when he was the only one there. He also helped us fix our hot tub. He spent some hours at our home with my husband finishing our basement and helping us do some hard things. He did so many things so unselfishly. He never complained and always tried to make it sound like we were helping him out in some way by being there.

Up until his last hours he was trying to help us out. He was looking for a job for my husband. He was talking to people that he knew and calling us to tell us of people that were interested in highering him. I know that these people loved Mark and because of Marks example he now has a job. I will remember him smiling sitting at the table, the sound of his voice and his laugh. He was a great example and like others have said he saved me and greatly influenced who I am today.
Memories of a Sister

This is a post from Kathy Wride Mark's Sister:

As I’ve thought about my memories of my little brother I can’t help but think of his love for people. He could strike up a conversation with anyone. Immediately he would bring in his wonderful humor and make a stranger feel at ease. He constantly looked for the good in people and wasn’t afraid to tell others how good they were. Everyone felt good around Mark. When he was faced with the issue of finding a different kind of work not so taxing on his body, his first concern wasn’t for himself, but for his workers. They were from Mexico and would earn money from Mark and send it to their families in Mexico. He really struggled with this issue.

In high school he was a well known and liked kid. As any high school student, he had many things going on at the same time. One day I received a call from Mark at the high school asking me to come and get him. He had finished the things he needed to do after school and was ready to come home. This was a time before cell phones so he had called from the office phone (which they were ready to close). He said he would meet me outside in the parking lot. As I gathered the keys and told Mom that Mark had called and I was headed up to get him, she asked me what he had done with the car he took to school. I couldn’t call him back. I had to drive up to the school and tell him he had a car there and could drive himself home. As I arrived at the school, there he stood by the car with a sheepish grin. After he called me he had went outside to wait in the parking lot and noticed his own car sitting there.

Mark has told me this story about himself about a year ago and a neighbor reminded me of it. He tells it a lot better, but I’ll do the best I can: He was living in Orem with a couple of roommates. They were good guys, but he wanted to tease one especially. Girls were always visiting this roommate. So Mark went to the store and bought 2 pies. He went to the apartment of some very popular girls and gave them both of the pies. He said one was for them and would they please deliver the other to him personally at a specific time in his apartment to make this roommate jealous. The girls followed thorough—They rang the doorbell and asked “Is Mark here?” When Mark replied I’m in here, they said “Oh Mark, we love you. We brought you this pie.” He said his roommate’s mouth dropped wide open. The next day, Mark did the same thing. He took 2 pies to the girls again and asked them to do the same thing that night and the girls followed through just as before. His roommate was amazed again. This was a funny small prank he pulled on his roommate. A little addition to this story is that the girls returned the next night with another pie for him that he had not delivered to them! Everyone loved Mark!!!

Friday, July 3, 2009

Memories from a classmate
Remembering Mark Richardson! My heart is just breaking at this news.. But I do have many stories I can share about Mark. I have to agree with Kim Sorenson that Mark really was the leader of our class of '83! Every memory I have about Mark is just so fun! I worked with Mark at Arctic Circle in Spanish Fork. (It is now Barry's Park View Drive In). It never felt like work because Mark always made it so fun! At that time there were microphones at the cash registers to call back the orders... Well, anytime there is an open-mic, you know that Mark will take advantage of it. Each of us would get on a mic and do the whole "Donny & Marie schtick..."I'm a little bit country...I'm a little bit rock and roll".. It didn't matter if there were customers or not, we would just sing and laugh until I honestly thought I would split a gut! (Good thing the manager was never there).. There were many times when we were supposed to be closing up the restaurant that we would sit and talk for hours! We would end up really cleaning and closing at around 2:00 a.m.. (Off the clock..Mark was very honest) One night I was kind of depressed and so I told Mark I was going to go running after we closed. He refused to let me go running alone, and so he came running with me...That is just how he was! So great! So kind! So funny!
I loved Coach Clark's stories. I was a song-leader our senior year, so I remember the football game against Springville, and I absolutely remember the wrestling tournaments. I have an entire scrapbook filled with pictures of Mark being "Mark".. (Acapella tour, football, wrestling, assemblies, graduation, and every high school reunion since..)
I could go on and on about Mark the Great!
I am pretty sure that you could fill the Delta Center with all of the people that Mark has touched during his life!
My heart just goes out to his beautiful family! There are just no words to express how much Mark was loved!
He will be so greatly missed!
Becca Sorenson Brimhall



Memories From a High School Coach
This is a post from Dave Clark, Mark's high school coach and good friend:

Mark Richardson, Mark was one of my favorite athletes. I coached Mark in football and wrestling. He was a hard worker on and off the field. He was always positive and had a great sense of humor. I have three short stories that I would like to share about Mark.

Mark’s senior year in football was a good one and I have one special memory of him that year. We were playing Springville on their home field and of course it was a very important game for us. Mark had been injured earlier in the season with a broken hand. He started in the game as a linebacker. The boys were playing very well and we had a lead at half time. Mark came to me at half and asked if he could play fullback the second half. I was surprised, because our starting full back was having a great game and Mark had a broken hand. I said “Mark I don’t think so right now“. Mark replied “But coach I have a goal to score a touch down this game“. I said “Well, you will have to make an interception then“. He then got teary eyed and told me that his grandma was at the game to watch him play and this might be the last time she would be there. Well I could only say no so many times so I told him he would start that half at full back. The other coaches questioned me but I said his grandma came to see him play. Springville kicked off to us and we got the ball on our 40 yard line. We handed the ball of to Mark up the middle and he ran for a 60 yard touch down. We were all very excited and we won that one. Mark came and thanked me after the game. I asked him if his grandma had watched him run? He told me that his grandma hadn’t . I said “What“? Then he told me his grandma was blind.

Mark wrestled his senior year mainly because I talked him into it. I thought that Mark would be a great wrestler because of his quickness and great strength. I was partly right. Mark was quick and very strong, but he wasn’t a very good wrestler. He worked hard and wouldn’t give up EVER, but he got beat a lot. All his matches except the one he pinned his opponent or got pinned were very close. We went to region in St. George that year. Mark had a great tournament. He won his first 2 matches and that put him in the finals against Payson. The Payson boy was a very good wrestler and we knew Mark was a big underdog. Mark was able to go 0-0 in the first round. The second round Payson chose down and escaped for 1 point and that was the second round. Mark was behind by one . Mark went down the third round and escaped for 1. The match ended in a 1-1 tie. That meant overtime. Mark would have to wrestle three 1 minute rounds. After wrestling three 2 minute rounds Mark was very tired, but so was the other guy. The score remained tied after the first round. The Payson boy chose down the second round and Mark kept him down. The score was still tied after the second round. The Payson boy took an injury time out. Mark came over and he was spent. He told me he didn’t know if he had anything left. I leaned over him and told him that he had trained hard for this moment and he had lived the word of wisdom all his life and it WILL pay off now. I told him just one explosion up to his feet would do it. Mark went back out, took the bottom position and on the whistle exploded to his feet and escaped for the winning point. Mark was a Region champion and helped his team to a Region championship.

The third story happened after Mark returned from his mission. I was down to the High school in the weight room during the summer. Mark was working for the mosquito abatement crew. He came to the coaches office and asked if he could talk to me. Mark and I visited for awhile and he said “Coach, I have a problem“. I asked him about it. He replied “I think that I am in love”! I was surprised, but I said “That’s a nice problem, who is the lucky girl”. He said “That’s the problem. She is a girl I met country dancing. She is a great dancer and we have a lot of fun together. I said what does she look like (thinking maybe that was the problem)?. He took out a picture and showed me. “Wow“! I said “She is pretty! No problem there!” I was pretty curious then and asked him what was the problem. He explained to me that she was older than him. I looked at the picture again, she looked to about 18 so couldn’t be that much older. I told Mark this and he told me that she was about 10 years older. I said “Well, so?“ “Well, what do you think?” he asked. I was still holding the picture. I replied “I don’t think that will matter at all if you love her“. My great words of wisdom were that in 10 years he would look older than her and know one would ever know. We talked about it for a little while and then he said there was just one more thing. I said “What’s that?” “She has two little girls“. I said “That could be a problem“. We talked about fatherhood and the stuff that goes with it. I told him with confidence that he would be a great Dad. I asked him if he had prayed about it and he said he had and he felt good about it. I gave him my blessing and the rest, as they say, is history. I have always looked on that conversation as one of my most cherished experiences as a Coach. I have watched that relationship grow and flourish over the years and I know all their prayers were answered. Mark was a great athlete and a great friend over the years. I will miss him greatly. Sincerely, Coach Dave Clark

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Memories from a Class Mate
This is a post from Alden Weight, Class of '85, Spanish Fork High School.

I'm sorry to hear Mark Richardson, fittingly nicknamed Mark The Great, is no longer with us. He was truly a great man. He had a way of putting anyone he was talking to immediately at ease and helping them feel like he was their best friend. Not only that, but he was genuine about that--I'm convinced he really did see those around him as his best friends. I truly looked up to him and respected him for that.

Others have commented about his morning announcements, which were wonderful and hilarious. I also remember him playing football and playing Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof. But some of my best Mark Richardson memories came after high school. For instance, I remember meeting him on campus at BYU one morning. Something was on my mind that morning--I don't remember exactly what--but I was discouraged. In typical Mark style, he took the time to talk to me cheerfully for a few minutes about this and that, with his trademark friendly grin, and that picked me right up. I credit Mark with the fact I can't remember what was bringing me down. It appears from reading several tributes here and from several other friends that he spent a great deal of time lifting many other people's spirits.

Mark and his young family also lived for a time in my parents' old ward in Spanish Fork. I remember visiting one Sunday when Mark was the Gospel Doctrine teacher. Mark had prepared a lesson using clips from the Karate Kid teaching about the importance of sticking to basic Gospel principles like prayer, scripture study, going to church, and so forth. The young Karate Kid didn't understand why the Karate Master wanted him to wash the car, paint the fence, and so forth using very precise motions--until the Master showed him why those motions were crucial during an attack. Mark's point was that it was the same for those basic Gospel practices, which we're tempted to think of as trivial until we understand that using them is likewise crucial to our spiritual survival. It was a memorable lesson--I still think about it nearly 15 years later.

My prayers and deepest sympathies are with Mark's family. I'm sure their father has gone to a much better place, and I'm sure he'll be doing work there that he's been prepared for here. But even knowing that, it's not easy letting such a great man go--even harder, in fact. I can hardly imagine their feelings at this time and pray for their comfort. I'm a better person for having known him. Thanks, Mark! You will definitely be missed.
Memories from a Class Mate
This is a post by a highschool classmate Kimberly Sorensen:

If there was one guy from the class of 1983 that EVERYONE knew and loved, it was Mark Richardson. Of course he was always voted 'most friendly' and was a class officer about every year because we all loved to see and hear from Mark on a daily basis. None of us will ever forget the daily announcements done by Mark, or his huge smile as he passed you in the hall. He made us feel happy, good about ourselves and always made us laugh. Mark was the kind who just kept giving of himself and was always aware of the feelings of those around him. I dont' think it mattered who you were, he paid everyone the same loving respect.

Mark wrote the most hilarious stories! I sitll have one he wrote our sophomore year about an ogre named Nosdrachir Nnly Kram (Mark Lynn Richardson backwards) and a strange queen named Siwel Mik (Kim Lewis backwards) They would have 5 hour lunches and eat doughnuts and gallons of milk and the ogre ate buckets of fish eads and a goat and then drank a 50 gallon drum of Compound W to get rid of the cluster warts on his huge nose. (Copies are available upon request!) Doesn't that story just sound like Mark? We had the 'Kim and Mark' gang . . .which only had two members, but we thought it was cool . . .I guess no one else wanted to join!

I remember on Acapella tour when he and Dave were playing 'GI JOE' and they climbed all over in the hills at Multnomah Falls! They were completely covered in MUD!! Being in Acapella was awesome! We had the opportunity of performing "The Master's Touch" for many sacrament meetings, and I know this really helped our testimonies of Christ to grow. One time on Christmas eve, Mark and Ray showed up on my doorstep 'caroling'! We all loved to sing together, so we went 'caroling' to some other friends and enjoyed the Christmas spirit together. We loved performing at Disneyland etc. Mark was always a hit!

OK. . . who could EVER forget the 'Tom and Lily' movies that Mark and Lynn Meacham made for Prom? Wow! I'd love to see those crazy vidoes again!

This is so hard -- to believe that the heart of all these great memories is gone. We'll all look forward to the best class reunion of all on the other side someday when we all get to see him again. I'm just so thankful that I get to be one of his many friends, and I know I will see him again someday. Thanks for sharing him with all of us, Lynn and family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Kim Lewis Sorensen


Kimberly Sorensen
Memories from a Cousin

The following is a post from Marks cousin Tracee Comstock:

Mark Richardson was a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend and had his priorities together. He loved Lynn with all of his heart and he cherished his children and supported them in many ways. Mark was always willing to serve his family and others. We have truly lost MARK THE GREAT! He will be sorely missed. Mark and Lynn’s children continue to be some of the most kind children I know, always respectful and loving. My children enjoyed serving in student government with them. I remember when Mark was in High School and was their age, he was Seminary President, he always knew what was important and had a smile on his face. Mark and his friend Lon would come up to our home in Centerville and hang out and spend the weekend when they had wrestling tournaments. It was always fun to hang out with Mark. My life was blessed to have a cousin like Mark! His life was cut short for some reason, only the Lord truly knows. The only peace or understanding I think we can feel is that he and Lynn are together now, what a happy reunion that was for them to see each other again. The Lord must have had an important project for Uncle Lynn to do, something important to build, and when Uncle Lynn had a project, Mark was usually not too far behind, always willing to jump in and help. I know that Mark loves each of you very very much. You could always see the love the Mark had for others on his face and the big smile he always had when he would see you. I ran into Mark at Cal Ranch and he said Hi, calling me and Roger Ken and Barbie. Mark always made you laugh! Lynn, our prayers are with you and the kids, I know where ever you were Lynn, Mark was close by. He loved you with all of his heart and soul. He always spoke so highly of you and cherished you! Verla, our prayers are with you and all the kids too. Verla, you raised Mark well! It is very difficult to have something sudden like this happen. I know it was hard for all of you to lose Uncle Lynn. I know Mark was close to you Verla, and looked after you in so many ways. I admire all of your courage and positive attitudes. Mark truly was one of the most Christ like people I know! I have a friend that was less active at a younger age and she told me that the reason she became more active in the gospel was because of the Richardson’s. You taught Mark and all of your kids well, they all have great solid values and are a light to many. I hope all of you can reflect on Christ’s life, remember that Christ died at a young age, his Mother Mary and Mary Magdalene were heartbroken, but they had peace in knowing where he is. The great blessing and comfort that we can take from this, is that we know Mark lives! The veil is thinner than we think. We love you all and are all praying for you! We will all miss Mark the Great!

Tracee Comstock.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Memories from a Sister
This is a post by Jackie Richardson Mortensen Mark's Sister:

The first time I ever remember playing 'Mark the Great' was at a giant family gathering when I was about 11. Mark had just returned home from his mission. As family reunions go the kids had already burned through every thing that had been planned for us. We were getting bored and starting to annoy the adults. I remember my big brother Mark suddenly jumping in to our midst and yelling "who wants to play a game?" We all gathered in around him as he explained the rules. "this is a simple game" he said. "It is just like follow the leader, you follow me and do every thing I do and when you do what I did you shout out MARK THE GREAT!" We spent the next few hours following Mark around playing Mark the Great. If you can imagine about 30 kids following him climbing over spare tires, throwing rocks, following his every move all the while squealing and laughing as we yelled "Mark the Great". I never fully appreciated the impact of this game until one day I was the adult and I was wishing that we had just planned a few more things to entertain the kids at a family gathering. While we were wondering what else we could do to entertain them I observed as Mark took giant steps towards them and excitedly yelled "who wants to play a game?" We laughed as we watched Mark lead a group of once restless and potentially trouble making children around the park while they randomly called out "Mark the Great".

Last night my big brother 'Mark the Great' suffered a heart attack and left this world. He was only 44. My heart aches as I remember our last conversation about a week ago. I had not seen him in over a year. He told me that on memorial day he visited my fathers grave and he said he was able to hold it together until he noticed the little chain I had placed by his headstone that said "love from Puerto Rico". We both cried when he told me this as we shared in the heartache of missing our father.

He saved my life when I was drowning as a child. I remember soon after he pulled me out of the water my mom was holding me in a blanket. I looked at his legs and saw blood pouring down his legs, injuries he had suffered tying to get to me. Several years later he took me into the water again and baptized me before he left on his mission. I guess you could say that he saved me twice. Once by pulling me out of the water and once by pulling me in.

Last night I held his hand at the hospital shortly after he passed away. Right now the surreal feeling of this world without him is hard to comprehend. While we know that he is not far away my heart aches for the sweet little family of 6 he left behind.

Pictures

Austin Wride says:

I have posted a few pictures of Mark at this web address. http://picasaweb.google.com/adwride/MarkTheGreat?feat=directlink
If you would like to add a story or photo, please email them to japomani@hotmail.com

Remembering Mark the Great

Mark Lynn Richardson 1964-2009

Mark was continually engaged in service his entire life. He was always helping others and was mindful of needs of those around him. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren, and worked very hard to provide for them physically and spiritually. Mark was known for his great sense of humor, strong spirituality, and remarkable ability to make those around him feel joyful, comforted and uplifted. He was often found in the center of any crowd entertaining with jokes and stories or ripping phone books in half with his bear hands.

He loved to be around his family and friends. His was always giving, patient, kind, honest, full of charity, and hard working.

Mark the Great was the name that he had us little sisters call him before he would give us an underdog push on the swing set. He was the best father, friend, husband, grandpa and neighbor that anyone could have. This blog is meant to be a gathering place for those loved ones to share stories and remember him.

All are welcome to leave comments. Please keep his young family in your prayers that they may have some comfort at this time.

Pictures are coming soon.




Heidy his daughter wrote a tribute to him on her blog. She wrote it for fathers day. I have included it below:

Heidy Richardson Meyers

"This has been a very busy day for us. We were asked to speak in church. They told us we could have Allie and Kaity talk also if they wanted to . They were completely thrilled with that idea. They did such a good job and I was so proud of them. I had to help Kaity with her talk. It was actually one of the rare occasions that I have seen her be a little shy. She ended up doing a great job and there were a few people who clapped when she was finished (probably investigators). Allie did her talk all by herself. I typed it out for her and she practiced reading it and saying it over and over yesterday. Today she basically had it memorized. It was so sweet to see her stand up there and give her first talk. When I found out we had been asked to speak I was not to excited but then on Wednesday I realized that it was Father's Day this Sunday and was actually glad that I would get the opportunity to speak about the wonderful man that I call dad. I am really lame and uncreative lately so didn't do anything for my dad for Father's Day, so for his Father's Day present I would like to recount some of the things I spoke on today.

When I was about 4or 5 my mom started to date Mark and from the very beginning of their relationship he stepped in and took over the role of dad above and beyond in every way. When he would bring my mom flowers he would bring Holly and me each a flower. He would take us on many of the dates they went on. He did many other cute things like that for us. After my mom had turned him down when he proposed I finally got mad and told her " mom, the next time Mark asks you to marry him you say YES!" She took my advise. It has been the best decision that we ever made. My dad often jokes that most men don't get to choose their children they just have to take what they get, but he is lucky because he got to choose his kids. :) As I have grown and especially now that I am a parent myself I have learned by his good example and have noticed many attributes that he has that are very Christ like. I would like to point out a few of them and how they have influenced me.

He is so kind. I have never heard him say an unkind thing about anyone. I do not know many people that I could say that about. I, unfortunately didn't pick up on that attribute but it is how I would like to be and I admire him so much for it. By his example my younger sister Haley has followed his example and would never say anything mean about anyone. It is amazing how strong the influence parents have on their children weather they realize it or not.

He is so patient. All growing up he had such a great deal of patience with me and my siblings. Weather we work working with him, he was helping us with school projects, or helping us with homework he never seemed to loose his patience and helped us as long as we needed him. I was a lot more patient before I had kids but I really do try to remember the patience he had with me growing up when I am starting to loose my cool with my kids.

One of my favorite things about my dad is his ability to tell a great story. His stories were great weather it was one from his life or one he would make up they were always the best. If ever we were getting a little rowdy on a long car ride my dad would start to tell us a made up story and he would get us so captivated in the story we would calm right down. Many times when I would go to him with a problem he would tell me a story and make me figure out the answer on my own. Just as Christ used to parables to teach my dad did as well.

My dad taught me to work hard. From the time I was 5 yrs old he would have us help him with his sprinkler and landscaping business. When I was young it was just putting sprinkler parts together then I graduated to digging trenches and finally setting sprinkler heads. Some of my best times with my dad were just talking while we back filled a trench to help pass the time. It also taught me to earn money for the things that I wanted rather than just expect it. I am so glad I learned that lesson when I was young because it has greatly helped me as I have grown up and have my own family.

My dad would also take us on daddy daughter dates. These were always fun and made me feel so special. He would always bring some paper and he would help me set goals spiritually, temporally, and physically. This was a great way to help me think of the future and set goals to get there.

My dad has always had the most respect and love for my mom and treated her with such. I don't remember my dad getting angry often but the few times I remember it was when I would speak disrespectfully to my mom. He would immediately let me know that was not acceptable. He has always spoken with respect to my mom and that created so much happiness in our home. When I was dating I hoped to find a man that would treat me as good as he treats my mom; I did by the way . I hope that when my daughters grow they will have love in their home and always speak with respect to their spouse. That is something that I think is so important for our children to learn from us and I am so grateful for the example my parents were to me.

Lastly, I would like to tell of a Father's Day 7 years ago. My older sister and I got a lawyer and paid to have Mark legally adopt us. We tied a big red bow around us and went in where he was and said "Happy father's Day, we would like you to adopt us." My dad teared up and said "I have never pushed this issue or felt I needed to because to me you have always been mine. " A few months later when we appeared before the judge to legalize the adoption he took a moment to thank my dad. He said " I would like you to know that I sit in this court room every day and see fathers trying to get out of the responsibility for their children and it makes me so happy to see a man willing to take on the responsibility of children, thank you."

When my older sister got married she gave my dad a tape with a song on it that sums up and fits my feelings perfectly it is... The Man You Didn't Have To Be. By Brad Paisley

I met the man I call my dad when I was 5 years old
He took my mom out on a date and for once I got to go
A few months later I remember lying there in bed
I overheard him pop the question and prayed that she'd say yes
And then all of a sudden
Oh, it seemed so strange to me
How we went from something missing
To a family
Lookin' back all I can day about
the things he did for me
Is I hope I'm at least half the dad
He didn't Have to be.

I love you dad, thanks for all you have done and taught me throughout my life. Happy fathers Day! XOXOXO"