Mark David Vann

Always in remembrance. A very nice guy.

What a man I think of him often!!To his family

Memories of Mark's passion, humanity and whit always stuck with me in a legendary way from the brief time I worked with him at Sonoma Mission Inn. He would always keep us grounded and smiling as he would run around shouting "this isn't ER kids", as he referred to us all. Am so sad for his being lost so young, during his prime, especially to those closest to him. Look forward if I'm privileged to seeing him brought back during that miraculous time when the Grave gives up all those whom we've lost in it- according to scripture. I hope his family is comforted during this sad time, knowing that many share their grief.

Keeping the Vann family in my thoughts. With much aloha.
Lisa Shattuck- Kamuela

The news that Mark had passed hit me like a ton of bricks. This was a man that though we hadn't talked in many years, as he traveled the world in his culinary and life pursuits, mattered to me quite a bit. Every couple of years as I dealt with my own life stuff, I'd look him up, wondering "What is Mark up to, where is he now?" Due to his talent and innate personal qualities, which people wanted to write and talk about, I was able to get a feel for his recent activities, and was quietly happy to know he was out there doing his thing.

I have so many memories of his time at Sonoma Mission Inn... Many funny and interesting moments, some poignant and heart aching situations, followed by more fun, caring and hilarious moments or hours... He was a sensitive, talented, extremely humorous, fragile, intelligent person, that made a mark (!) on pretty much everyone around him. I am deeply sorry that he's gone, and my heart and very best wishes go out to his wife, daughter, mother, family, and multiple friends throughout the world. Mark cut a wide swath; the people who loved him should be, and are, proud of his contribution to our lives.

So, the memory that has made me smile maybe 150 times in the past 20 years, thinking about his generosity and spirit: I was an HR manager, he was an Executive Chef, and my best friend Helen was coming into town to visit, we hadn't seen each other in a couple of years. I told him I'd invited her to The Grille for dinner, and hoped he'd suggest some nice food options. He and I had a fun, low key friendship, and really I was just asking for a nice meal with my friend. Well, he arranged a bit of an extravaganza, haha, we were treated like Royalty. We ordered our entrees, started talking and laughing, and within a short time, an incredible gourmet procession of small but impeccable dishes were coming our way, things we hadn't ordered, but he obviously was on a mission to knock our socks off. HE DID. It was the best meal of my life, just sheer poetry on the plate. My friend and I realized quickly that we were experiencing something very special... Toward the end of the meal, Mark came out in impeccable chef's whites, with a tall white Toque (where'd THAT come from?) and with a deadpan expression, slightly bowing with a flourish, presented an exquisite dessert, under a tall silver dome. He never broke character, he played it to the hilt, and I was floored, amused, impressed, grateful, wanted to hug him for his generosity and thoughtfulness. Oh, and the lamb medallions he put on our plate that night, so sweet, tender and perfect, I've been searching for that taste for over 20 years now, and nothing has matched it. What an incredible evening he provided, it's been in my head for two decades.

Excellent Work Chef, Thank You! You are very much loved, forever.

With hugs, love, and every best wish to Mark and his loved ones, I will miss him.

Mark has always been and always be an inspiration for me, he took be under his wing at Sonoma Mission Inn, he asked me to help plan and have lunch with and to plan the meal for a guest chef dinner with Gary Danko (I oversalted the polenta, oops!)
Mark was always pulling us aside to show us different things to educate us.
How many Executive Chefs would wash your truck when you were't looking instead of taking the tires off and leaving it on cinder blocks (another story).
How many Chefs would say "if the mise en place is ready before lineup, we play Hacky Sack"?
His insiration will always be with me.
Crusty tennis shoes and a certain stock pot. Some will get it.
Live life, I think he would say.
Goodbye.

Mark never lost his thirst for fun and adventure. We will love and miss you always, my beautiful cousin. Sending love and healing to all who love him.

Dear Margret,
Hearing the news this evening, I am flooded with memories of my friendship with Mark and Myron and you. I am sending you my love and healing energy. Many thanks to Myron and you for sharing the treasure of Mark with us.

your wit and friendship will be missed my friend go with God

May your journey be swift - very sad to hear that the world and your family has lost you. You are on my mind and my memories of you will live on...I promise.

This is such hard news to hear. The loss of Mark is tragic. I pray for peace for his family.

My deepest condolences to Mark's loved ones. I had the pleasure of working with him in Sonoma. He was one of a kind...so much talent, vision, and humor. Rest in peace old friend.

My deepest sympathies to the family. Mark sat next to me in quite a few classes at Coronado and we sat together at Graduation. I will always remember the caves we explored and the cliffs we scaled and all the adventures and campfires ! Mark you will be missed.

What a loss, so young, so talented, such a fun guy, and what a worker. HJope you are in a better place. If so, keep on cooking, climbing and horsing around.
Be good my friend!!
Jean Weiss (Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa)

R.I.P
We miss u. Boss!!!

a light for you Mark. My deepest sympathy to Lisa and the entire family.

Prayers to your family. Anyone know what happened? You were too young. Peace

You will forever be in that old blue Landcruiser with Cheesebuger in Paradise blaring out of the speakers. See you on the other side. Love ya Unc!!!

Thank you for making me the man I am today . Thank you for your friendship and father like presents. I promise to honor you in every dish I make and everyone else that I teach. Please watch over me and guides threw my next step in life. Ps. When I cooked the other night i heard your voice the time you jerk. Love u chef, your with the cooking gods now

You were one of my most wonderful friends, Mark. RIP
Condolences and prayers to the entire family.

A truly generous spirit, an inspiration to many aspiring chefs, and way ahead of his time in pushing forward the global Asian fusion cuisine that is now so popular all over the world. Your witty humor stays with us all and your spirit lives on within all who know you...May your journey continue in peace.

Rest in Peace Chef

Mark, Thank you for all the lessons and great moments we share. I will never forget us jumping and dancing around in the second floor of Fijimamas. You were a genuine person and had room for everybody!!
Arigato!!!

Forever in our hearts... the laughs we shared, the meals we enjoyed, the friendship we made.

Mark. There is a HUGE void in my heart for you. I don't think I'll
EVER be able to accept it and wrap my head around this. I WILL ALWAYS miss you. What you gave me no amount of $$$ could buy. I will ALWAYS MISS You my friend, and hope you are there greeting me with yet another fabulous dish when the time comes we see EACHOTHER again. I LOVE YOU BROTHER!!! Freddie

Those of us in California, who knew and worked with Mark send our sincerest condolences to all in his family. He was well loved and respected. We will miss him.

My Thoughts and Prayers to Margaret, Lisa Zoe, Marsha and all of us that dearly loved the magnificent man, Mark. GOD BLESS US ALL. Heaven's gain---Our loss.

My thoughts and prayers to Margaret, Lisa. Zoe, Marsha and all the family and friends that dearly loved this magnificent man, Mark. GOD BLESS US! Heavens gain, our loss. Richie Stewart

There are no words to express the loss we feel. Cousin Mark was always such fun to be around, and I regret we had so little time together over the years. McCrummen family reunions, no matter how fun, and no matter how warm the feelings and memories were that we shared, were always brightened by his presence. We will miss him.

This one thing I know for sure: At this very moment, Mark, Matt, Myron, both Charlies, J. Lewis, Virginia, Frank, Rich, Maude, and all the others who've gone ahead are planning the most awesome McCrummen reunion you can imagine! Whenever it happens, it'll be one for the ages, believe me!

Lisa and Zoe, Margaret, Marsha, and My, please know that we in Seminole--Alene, Linda, and Charles--love you and are keeping you in our prayers. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.

I am so sorry for your terrible loss. I will never forget Mark standing in the kitchen of your house by Rush, doing Julia Child as he prepared dinner. I laughed so hard my ribs ached.
I miss Matt every single day. You've all endured some great loss in your family.I wish there was something I could do to help.
Lots of love and sympathy -
Charlotte

Mark was such a passionate person and his talents as a chef went beyond incredible! I will always cherish my younger memories of our many family visits back and forth to Lubbock and to our home in Northern California. He was the first person who knew of my engagement to Marty as he served a spectacular meal on the evening of his proposal at the Sonoma Mission Inn. Mark will forever be in my heart and the hearts of the many lives he has touched. My thoughts and prayers go out to Lisa, Zoe, and all the Vann family for this tragic loss of a truly fun and loving soul who always put a smile on my face! Love from his cousin, Sandie Brown

Few people in life have a singular powerful influence on your future. For me that person was Mark Vann. I became Mark's friend when I was 15, and he put me on a journey that has blessed my life with love and adventure. Mark introduced me to rock climbing and we spent many hours on the cliffs of Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado. We went to Estes Park, CO to learn the fundamentals of the sport when I was 16. When I graduated from Texas Tech, I moved to Estes where I met the woman I would share the rest of my life and raise two beautiful children. Mark introduced me to new music, art and of course food. He shared his love and passion toward life and encouraged me to take risks to reach the goals I had. We shared so many adventures in our youth. I think of him almost daily and have shared many of our stories with others. I never got to meet Lisa or Zoe or eat a meal at his restaurants. Swimming in the Pacific with him was on my bucket list. Now my bucket has a gaping hole. We send our love and prayers to Lisa, Zoe, his mother and the rest of his family. Thank you Mark for pointing me to the path that has brought so much adventure and joy to my life! We will never forget you, Rusty George

Mrs. Vann, and family. I will deeply miss Mark We climbed high mountains, rock climbed and explored deep caves. My prayers and thoughts are with you all . Words are not enough. I loved him and always will as I have always loved your family. I cherish the memories . Rusty George and I had some wonderful memories just this last summer in Montrose, Co. Talking about Mark. God bless you all.

May God bless the family of Mark David Vann with the comfort and peace that only God can provide. Mark was my cousin and my friend. Even though we didn't see each other very often, I will miss him and love him forever. Mark is a generous and talented man who will be missed by not only his family and friends but by all those whose lives he touched. My heart breaks for you. My sincere condolences to his wife, Lisa, and his daughter, Zoe, to his mother, Margaret, to his sister, Marsha and her family and to his brother, My and his family. I love you all, your cousin Charlotte