Mark and his name sake

Many of you know that I named my son who is now two after Mark. Here is a picture of Mark looking at my son (his namesake) when he was just a few weeks old. The picture says it all. Mark adored children and they adored him. He always wanted to hold the babies and make the older kids feel special.

When this son was about to be born my husband and I discussed, debated and brainstormed names. We wanted a name that was significant. We wanted a name of someone that this child could look to as an example. We discussed Lincoln and other heroic names. When Mark's name came up we both finally agreed. It was a name of someone dear to us and someone that we wanted our son to see the example of. Mark was honest, serving, compassionate, perceptive and empathetic to others. We had no idea at the time that Mark would pass away the day after our sons second birthday. I am so proud of my brother. He lived such a good life his service will be endless. One that my little boy can look to as an example and pattern.

5k a success!

Click here for 5k pictures

Click here for 5k results








Here are pictures from the 5k and thanks to Sasha Pachev from fastrunningblog.com we have our results ALREADY which is pretty amazing! Thanks Sasha you champ!

I am not sure how to express my gratitude in words for those who came to support our family and to run the race. We expected at the most 300 but were surprised when our numbers kept growing and exceeded what we thought possible. We had nearly 600 participants and volunteers.

We apologize to those of you who did not receive a shirt on race day but our hearts are full of love and appreciation for your support. Thanks to everyone who ran, donated or volunteered.

Everyone seemed to love the flat almost turnless course surrounded by beautiful fields. We got amazing times with the first Jeff McClellen at 15:27, our first Female was Jennifer Hughes at 18:53!

Below is a link to some pics. Take a look you may be surprised at who you might see. Our picture takers Austin Wride and Jocelin Blomn did a great job.

Pictures from the 5k

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."

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.

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.

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.