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BORN
1960
DIED
2017
Mark Richardson Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Mark Richardson
December 5, 2017
I am late and deeply saddened to learn this news. Mark was not my friend for long, I had known him for only about a year in Saipan, he was such a gentle soul. I have followed your/his story since 2005, always overjoyed at every post telling where in the world he was, and his persistance to live the life he loved. And the icing on the cake was so often seeing his family with him. Love. I have and will continue to miss him. Tracy Nance
Deidre Harvego
August 25, 2017
My most since condolences to Betty, Stephanie, and James.
What an amazing journey Mark had - defying a prognosis and really celebrating and living life.
Mark (and you) have had a profound impact on the lives of many people through his courage, your support, and your blog. What a gift and a legacy to have created.
August 24, 2017
Mark had such a fun sense of humor. I collect postcards, and he once addressed an airplane barf bag to me, stamped and mailed it with a message about wishing I were there... and it made it throgh the mail!
Kim Mitchell
August 22, 2017
Please know I am thinking of you and your family. I found Mark's courage, fortitude, and zest for life to be inspiring and affirming. Please shower yourselves, your family and extended family, with with blessings and wishes for full hearts and happy memories from me.
August 22, 2017
On Saipan Mark used to really enjoy all the blooming trees. They are called Flame Trees and they have the most vivid red blooms. He used to tell me that when those trees were in bloom, it was like a florist shop had exploded all over the place.
Tonia Hagen
August 20, 2017
Will remember all the good times we spent together on Dawn Drive and in Jacksonville. Mark was a very good looking young man.
Tiffani Caudle (Hagen)
August 20, 2017
Betty and Steph so very sorry to hear about Mark. He was a long time survivor and fighter. I always remember when we came to your big Jacksonville farm and Mark took me for a ride on your horse. Best time ever! RIP Mark
Jackie Means
August 19, 2017
I was lucky enough to meet Stephanie through work, and by extension, Betty. I didn't meet Mark, but followed his story. Life is never easy or predictable, but you all meet it with such grace, wisdom, gusto, and humor. It is the best that any of us can hope to do, and you did an exemplary job with the time you had with Mark.
Kaye Lowak
August 18, 2017
Mark fought a long battle, and was fortunate to have a mother, sister, and stepdad to help him through those times. I am so sorry for your loss. He is on a new adventure now.
Chris Wooldridge
August 18, 2017
I met Mark in high school and from the first I knew that he was someone special. He had a way of never letting the conversation get old and always included everyone when he was talking. Mark was also a good person to tell your hopes to and he would encourage your dreams. He was not judgmental and would always take the high road if someone was being mean. Mark just made people feel good about life. I hope that all the people who are saddened by his leaving us will use his strength that he showed us in life to make a difference.
Jackie Cleveland
August 17, 2017
I was very sad news to hear that Mark passed away. We were friends in high school back in the 70's. It was good to read about the life he made. It sounds like he had work that he loved and many good friends. Mark loved an adventure and he managed to turn his life into a good one. It was good to know him. I am sorry for your loss.
JL Jr. Ingram
August 17, 2017
Dear Betty and Stephanie, such sad news to read about Mark. After all these years of mostly hearing about him and his life through Stephanie, we finally had a chance to know one another better through social media. I will miss his kind comments and messages and regret not having had the possibility of knowing him better in person. What a gentle and sweet person he was. Mark will surely be missed by everyone that knew him. My deepest sympathy. Jerry Lee
Rossina Rangel
August 17, 2017
I am really sad to hear this, I feel so fortunate to have met Mark during our trip to Thailand. May he Rest In Peace
Gloria Jean Brazell
August 17, 2017
My sympathy to you and your family. I remember you telling us all about your amazing brother while we were sitting at Hastenrath House in Germany some years ago. Prayers your way!
Phil Vaughan
August 17, 2017
RIP my friend, we didn't work together for long, but I will never forget that experience.
Carrie (Pennell) Filla
August 17, 2017
Betty and Stephanie I am so sorry for your loss. He was always hilarious and lived life to the fullest and I have great family memories of being at your house out in the country as a kid. As well as visiting he and Bronna in Memphis and Virginia. The world has lost a special person. My heart goes out to you.
August 17, 2017
Saipan: Here's some memories of Mark on the Island of Saipan. For a long time he didn't have a car. He had a motorcycle. When it rained he would wear his swim trunks to work while carrying a plastic bag with his work scrubs. He would change when he got to the hospital.
He had some extra jobs in Saipan tending bar. He loved to tend bar and meet people. He tended bar in Austin when he was in college While bartending he met a lot of the musicians and other famous people and he could tell some good stories.
I was there on Saipan with Mark during typhoon Chaba. He prepared with lots of water, canned food, candles, etc. We thought we would watch TV but people on the streets were stealing all the cables and wire so it took awhile to restore TV services.
I met a lot of fun people on Saipan and I have a lot of happy memories of Mark and others there.
Dick Bohn
August 17, 2017
My sympathies Betty. Mark was a good friend the short time I knew him. You and I were searching for the lens to my glasses in the middle of the lagoon after my bath. We couldn't find it!! Mark arrived on the scene, brought his foot up out of the water, and there was my lens stuck between his toes!! What a blessing!!! He was a good man and prayers to you also.
Lets keep in touch,
Dick
Cathy Cartwright
August 17, 2017
Betty, I wish I had gotten to know Mark. He was a special person and certainly lived his life to the fullest. I will keep you and your family but n my prayers.
Kelli Matthews-Wood
August 16, 2017
Stephanie and Aunt Betty, I am so sorry to hear about Mark. I hadn't seen him for thirty years (or more) but when I think of him, I remember his "cool" attitude, self-assured demeanor, and strong will. Those things are probably what made him such a determined fighter, and enabled him to overcome his initial prognosis and have many more adventures during his lifetime. I think he looked so much like Uncle Joe in his more recent photos. My mom and I send much love to you.
Timothy Adams
August 16, 2017
Yup yup. Remember lots of stuff, some good some not so, but it all came out in the wash, love you all be easy, and pay attention to the details, could prolong your life...
Tim Adams - Class of 78
Henry Harper
August 16, 2017
Prayers and condolences to you and your family in the Home goingOf Mark. Love you,Henry Harper
August 16, 2017
I was sorry to hear of Mark's passing. His obituary is a tribute to a life of adventure and kindness. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his JHS class of 1978 classmates.
Casey Collins
Penny Ruiz
August 16, 2017
While reading this post memories of Mark and our school bus rides came flooding back. Mark would wear a green CPO jacket and was always smiling with a sparkle in his eyes....rest in peace!
Penny
JHS Class of 78
DeDe Mason
August 16, 2017
My deepest condolences for your loss. It sounds like Mark was an awesome brother and man. May God comfort you during this difficult time.
Dede Mason - Class of 79
Kevin Brant
August 16, 2017
My prayers are with Marks family.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kevin Brant - class of 78
linzey bryant
August 16, 2017
Betty, Nathan,Alyssa and myself are so sorry about Mark's passing. I wish we had more opportunities to spend with him, but we are glad to know he was able to live a joyous life in Thailand. I know that you will always cherish those times visiting as I know he enjoyed your presence when you were there. It is evident by your pictures the fun yall had together
Suzanne Moore
August 16, 2017
RIP. Too young.
Suzanne Moore - class of 78
Penny Vaniter
August 16, 2017
R.I.P. fellow classmate Mark.
Penny Vaniter - class of 78
Tim Keiser
August 16, 2017
Talked to Mark 6 months ago he was planning to attend our 40th Myself Mark Ron Cruzan Tim Adams hung out a lot together in school I miss my friends and everyone on the block Rip Mark & Ron Cruzan bet it's a party in heaven
Tim Keiser - Class of 78
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Charlotte Bryant
August 16, 2017
I'll always remember Mark as a warm and curious person, ready to connect with others and share the things he found joy in. I'm sorry we never got to travel with him and share his passion for adventures in Thailand, but even in the simplest of activities hanging out in Texas I got a sense of his playfulness, kindness, and his determination. I'm so sorry he has left us and we send our heartfelt condolences to Betty and Stephanie.
Bronna Herms
August 16, 2017
I met and fell in love with Mark as a teenager in the '70's. We had a boat load of fun doing the things that young and wild kids do. That brave and adventerous soul will always have a peice of my heart. To Stephanie and Betty -my heart and thoughts are with you both.
Nancy Hill
August 16, 2017
I never met Mark, but Stephanie spoke of him often. I'm so sorry for your loss, but gladdened that you had so many more years than you were told you would have.
Kevin DiVico
August 15, 2017
My deepest condolences on your loss. I have only known Mark through his sister Stephanie's stories but I was impressed with his undaunted love for life, his deep humanity and his love for family. My sincere condolences to his family and friends on there loss.
August 15, 2017
Mark was both my friend and my leading man.
I will miss him. My world will be lonlier without him.
As my friend, we spent may days and nights in Thailand over the years. He was my happy guide on many adventures. No one can take his place.
Most important for me, Mark saved my life when I passed out from anaphylactic shock one night in Thailand.
As my talented leading man, Mark added a high level of creativity to the three feature films he was in: the hitman in NINETY PROOF, the mystery guest in TEN SANTAS, and the Asian connection in FEMBOT.
Here's my filmic tribute to him: https://youtu.be/gdbTd_WVufw
--Jerry Barrett
August 15, 2017
Life with Mark was an adventure from the time he was born until he died. Just look at the photo of Mark and I feeding a bottle of milk to an adolescent tiger at the tiger zoo in Thailand. I could feel the strength of that tiger's muscles. He was so strong. I gladly turned him over to the keepers when the milk was nearly gone. This was one of many great adventures I would have never had were it not for Mark.
On the other hand I provided him with some great adventures. We volunteered many times with MEDICO at clinics in remote areas of Honduras and Nicaragua. After every trip we would go to the island of Roatan and scuba dive. On one trip I nearly drowned but Mark saved me.
Because of Mark (and his sister Stephanie) my life has been anything but boring.
After long years of health struggles, may you rest in peace my son. Rest assured your mother loves you.
Basil Comitis
August 14, 2017
Deep Condolences , R.I.P.
Class of 1978
Wynne Linden
August 14, 2017
Wynne Helmig
August 14, 2017
Rest well, my friend and brother-in-arms, you worked very honorably and hard for this peace. Salute.
Krabi
Stephanie Richardson-Bayburt
August 14, 2017
Mom and Mark - Pattaya, Thailand
Stephanie Richardson-Bayburt
August 14, 2017
Rotary Club meeting - Pattaya, Thailand
Stephanie Richardson-Bayburt
August 14, 2017
Stephanie Richardson-Bayburt
August 14, 2017
USN
Stephanie Richardson-Bayburt
August 14, 2017
Stephanie Richardson-Bayburt
August 14, 2017
August 14, 2017
Hello to the family. I am a friend of Stephanie's in Okinawa, Japan. Prayers for your strength during this difficult time.
Mark and Mom
Betty Richardson
August 13, 2017
Mark and Stephanie
Stephanie Richardson-Bayburt
August 13, 2017
You sure did life to the fullest, big brother. You were always bolder and older than me, leading the way into all sorts of adventure. I know you influenced the lives of a lot of people, and I hope that your friends will write of their adventures with you on this page.
I went skiing with Mark in Colorado once. Though he was a skilled skier, he stuck by his little sis, going on the easier slopes at a slower pace with me, until afternoon. He asked if I'd be okay to get down the slope on my own, if he went on up to a higher run. He pointed me in a direction and advised that I should follow that. It wasn't long until I was on a slope that seemed to be straight up and down, rocks covered in ice that had not been set foot on by any human in the past 30 years (I may be exaggerating there) and that was aptly named "Do It or Die". I'll never know if you sent me that direction on purpose, possibly to show me I could actually do it, but I did do it. You did it every day, in every way - travelled the icy and rocky paths and took the challenges and succeeded. You were a great big brother, to protect and toughen me at the same time.
When Mark was at his sickest, it was hard to say "see ya' later" when I had to leave. He knew, he had a hard time with the phrase, too, and so he'd tell me instead that he'd save me a good spot in heaven, and that I would find him over in the neighborhood with Stevie Ray, Elvis, and Jimi Hendrix (there are a few more now - Mark's hanging with Pinetop Perkins, too). Mark's there now, and he'll be the one leading the party, entertaining everyone with his wit and humor. Save me a good spot, Mark.
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