Mark Stephen Stock

Mark Stephen Stock

August 4, 1951 - March 26, 2014

Mark Stephen Stock of Oakland, California passed away March 26, 2014 in Oakland, California of natural causes. Mark was a noted West Coast painter, jazz musician, champion amateur golfer and an accomplished magician. He was born in Frankfurt Germany in 1951, the son of a military officer.

Mark and his three brothers Tom, Don and Ron Stock all attended public schools in Tallahassee, Fl. in the 1960's when Mark got an early start in music as the drummer of a popular Tallahassee, Fl. rock band, The Kidnappers. He performed throughout his life in numerous rock bands in Tallahassee and St. Petersburg Fl. Later in life, he performed for several years with famed jazz pianist Tee Carson and bassist John Goodman at the Cypress Club in San Francisco. Mark continued his career in jazz by forming the Mark Stock Trio, performing at clubs in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Mark was a champion amateur golfer winning 3 championships at two California courses. His magic act was a great source of entertainment for all who met him. Mark knew no strangers and could be found at any given location doing magic tricks for amazed observers from all walks of life.

Mark graduated from the University of South Florida in 1976. After graduation he was employed by Gemini G.E.L. in Los Angeles making lithographic prints for art luminaries such as Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein, Jasper Johns, and David Hockney. In 1993, he was recognized with a Distinguished Alumnus Achievement Award from USF. Mark's art works reside in the public collections of the Library of Congress, Museum of Modern Art, New York, Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Art, San Francisco, The Brooklyn Museum of Art and others. Art historian Barnaby Conrad who authored the book "Mark Stock - Paintings" is quoted as saying " Mark was a narrative painter out of step with modern painting when he started, but now he will emerge as this unique painter who transcends modernist trends'.

Mark Stock's website theworldofmarkstock.com features many of his works of art and life story. The Modernism Gallery in San Francisco will honor the life and career of Mark Stock in a retrospective showing of his works beginning May 1, 2014. A Memorial to Mark will be held at the Scottish Rite Center in Oakland, California on April 30, 2014.

Mark is preceded in death by his parents Bernard A. Stock and Doris M. Stock, and brothers Ron Stock and Tom Stock. He is survived by a brother Don Stock (Judy) of Tallahassee, longtime girlfriend Sharon Ding of Altadena, California and 3 nephews, Christopher S. Stock (Lisa) of Riverview, Fl., Andrew B. Stock (Charity) of Sacramento, Ca. and Thomas B. Stock (Rebecca) of St. Petersburg, Fl., nieces Kimberly Mask (Trevor) and Rachel Culpepper, great nephews Mark Stock of Frankfurt, Germany (namesake) and Sawyer Stock of Sacramento, Ca and a great niece, Katie Stock in California.

Mark will be forever missed for his generosity of love, friendship, and spirit.