MARK THOMAS SMITH

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Clovis West High School University of Colorado

MARK SMITH Obituary

Former Fresno resident Mark Thomas Smith, 41, passed away November 22, 2011 in Puerto Rico. Mark's final days were spent doing what he loved, performing in front of thousands of enthusiastic fans throughout Japan and Puerto Rico. Mark was born in Arcadia, Ca September 24, 1970. As a gifted athlete, Mark excelled from a very young age at everything from soccer to football. He was well known for his athletic prowess within the Fresno area as a graduate of Clovis West High School and Fresno City College. Most notably, he was awarded a "full ride" football scholarship to the University of Colorado just a year after they won the prestigious NCAA National Championship. After graduating college, Mark went on to pursue his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. Under the guise of Mark "Bison" Smith, a successful wrestling career lead to 13 titles in Japan and Puerto Rico including multiple NOAH Tag Team Titles with partners Akitoshi Saito and Keith Walker. The Smith family is thankful for the outpouring of support from family, friends, and fans during this very difficult time. Mark is survived by his wife, Gladys; and son, Justin of Puerto Rico; son, Darrin of Fort Collins, Co; parents, Richard and Florence Smith of Fresno, CA; brother, Jason Smith and his wife Brenda and son Lincoln of Fresno, Ca; grandmother, Lillian Smith of Scotts Valley, Ca; aunt and uncle, Sandy and Sharon Ettinger of Aptos, Ca; and numerous friends and extended family who viewed him as a mentor, teacher, and colleague. A Celebration of life will be held at Belmont Country Club, on Wednesday December 7, 2011, at 12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mark's name to the American Heart Association or the Crippled Children's Foundation.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Fresno Bee on Dec. 4, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for MARK SMITH

8 Entries

Dr Mike Lano

November 29, 2022

We regularly pay tribute to Mark on our show as he was a great friend to me & Russ "Buddy Sotello" Jackman from his earliest APW matches in front of people, on thru his Noah/Japan and Pro W Iron promotional days. But last Sunday, Russ brought his name up becaude the anniversary date was upon us, and we spent more time talking about what a great guy he was to us all & how much he's still missed by everyone. Dr Mike Lano, [email protected]. We Miss U, Bison! Combate Kurosai

Russell Jackman

December 6, 2011

I managed Mark Smith as Super Destroyer 2000 in APW when my career started as Buddy Sotello Esq. I also went on to be his "mortal enemy" in Pro Wrestling Iron, managing against him in many matches. I always looked forward to working shows with Mark; he helped me realize my dreams working with such a positive professional. Mark was more than that; he was a noble knight in a profession that doesn't always value that quality. He was always honest, hard working and the ultimate professional inside the ring and a caring, fun, open and genuine friend outside of it. Hearing that he's gone has made me as sad as if I had lost a family member, because Mark was like that to me when we worked our shows. I will treasure the time we worked together always. -Buddy Sotello, Esq/Russell Jackman

December 6, 2011

very cool cat and fun to hang with.....i know i will think of the few fun memorys i got to have with him....you will be missed BISON....god speed to your family and trust he is with his maker and booking great stuff! much love to the smith family and our deeepest condolences.....

---The Ripps'
Jimmy Ripp
TJ Ripp (son)
Becky Ripp (Wife)
Nikki Ripp (daughter)

Louie Barboza

December 6, 2011

Mark, or Bison as I knew you from wrestling. I will be forever grateful for the time and attention you took out of your busy schedule to respond to emails and myspace messages years ago to provide me answers to questions and valuable tips about making it in pro-wrestling in the US, Puerto Rico and Japan. You were even gracious enough to provide me with your personal address to send a tape of my work which you personally critiqued. I will never forget it and just wish I could of had the pleasure of thanking you in person. You were/are one of my all time favorites. My sincerest condolences and prayers go out to your family.

December 6, 2011

Mark was always a great friend to us in wrestling. I'm a long-time photographer/columnist and shot pictures of Mark training before he broke in at APW and then his first match in front of an actual audience there. He was managed by a legit friend of his early on there(Buddy Sotello) and they stayed pals to this day, and during the move to IRON. Mark became a huge indie star and then an int'l one in Japan, Puerto Rico, ROH and we all suffered this loss. He was taken from his loving family and friends far too soon. We all miss Bison.

Mike Lano

December 5, 2011

Mark was always a great friend to us in wrestling. I'm a long-time photographer/columnist and shot pictures of Mark training before he broke in at APW

American Heart Association

December 4, 2011

May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family, today and always.

Zach Arnold

December 4, 2011

To say that I'm still saddened and shocked by Mark's death would be an understatement. I miss him a lot.

He had an old-school mentality when it came to earning respect and treating people the right way. He genuinely loved his job and his family. One of the wrestlers he faced in his final match in Japan recounted that before their bout, he was showing them pictures of his family and just talking about how happy he was with the way things were going.

I extend my best wishes to his family and friends. Mark left behind a great legacy in and out of the ring. Rest in peace, friend.

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