MARK EUGENE THOMPSON 10/5/1953 - 6/7/2013 Mark Eugene Thompson, age 59 of Hesperia, California, passed away June 7, 2013. Mark is survived by Teresa, his devoted wife of 32 years; his son Alex of Hesperia, CA; and son Trent and daughter-in-law, Kelly Wiersma of Upland, CA. Mark was the son of the late Mr. Floyd R. Thompson and is survived by his mother, Mrs. Lois Thompson, of Sun City, CA; sisters, Cheryl Korte and Suzanne Thompson, and brother Tom Thompson. He also leaves many adoring nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews, as well as truly countless life-long friends. Mark was born October 5, 1953 in Pomona and grew up in Walnut, CA. He moved to Hesperia in 1986 where he and Teresa built their family home and raised their sons. Water skiing, fishing, hunting, and off-road jeeping with his family as well as frequent camping trips were among his favorite activities. Forty-two years of celebrating Thanksgiving with "The Duners" in Mammoth Wash and Glamis forged the kind of friendships that comes from burying and unburying everything from turkeys to trucks. In 2012, Mark retired from DEB Construction, Inc., Anaheim, CA, where he was a superintendent for many years. Mark was most proud of being "the super" for the DEB construction project in Adelanto, CA. A ground up Bank of America building that became the country's first Certified LEED Platinum bank branch. The Bank of America at Jess Ranch in Apple Valley was also his project –a Certified LEED Gold building. He and his crew were among the first in banking construction industry to complete ecologically progressive "green" buildings. His last project he was especially proud to build: The Farmers and Merchants Bank in San Clemente, CA in 2011. Mark had to remove and demo the interior of the existing bank and build a new branch all while complying with the city of San Clemente's strict codes and guidelines - timing the shutting down of a beach city's block of water supply was no easy task. Over the years Mark's projects were big and small, from building an overpass for the Metrolink to building his family home, which he did solo over a period of two years with the help of family and friends. Even The Duners came up to help. Mark was a passionate and skilled huntsman. Dove, turkey, and deer hunting were annual outings with his hunting buddies. Many BBQs and chili cook-offs found Mark quietly smiling as he saw to it that family and friends unsuspectingly tasted wild game for the first time. Mark is remembered as a loving and devoted husband and father, loyal son and brother, cheerful uncle and steadfast friend. We will miss his quiet yet hilarious sense of humor, his unassuming, kind manner, and how he was a friend to all. In a time of need Mark was most frequently the first on the scene to help and the last one to leave. We can all look to heaven with confidence knowing that Mark is surely standing by with a tow rope to help us up. Mark's life will be celebrated on his 60th birthday in the place he loved the best – the great outdoors. "We'll see what's going on."
Published in the Daily Press from June 14 to June 16, 2013
