Marc Vela Salas

Mark Vela Salas was born on May 24, 1980, in Ashland, Kansas, and raised in Moore, Oklahoma, a place he would always call home. Known to nearly everyone as Marc, he passed away in late January 2026, leaving behind a community of people who will always be reminded of Marc in random moments and find themselves laughing. Marc's humor wasn't simply a part of his personality. It was his language in life. Once you learned how to speak it with him, the world itself and everything happening in it became hilarious. Any amount of time spent with him guaranteed you would walk away with an inside joke that only made sense to the two of you and would follow you for the rest of your life.

Marc was a proud graduate of Moore High School, Class of 1998, where people were drawn in by the laughter that seemed to follow wherever he went. He never tried to be the center of attention. It just happened when those around him couldn't help but laugh and join in. Marc was always singing and dancing through everyday life, so it felt only natural that he found his place in choir and theater and especially loved musical theater and show choir. He had a powerful voice, a love for performing, and a way of making even ordinary moments feel more alive and definitely a lot more fun.

As Marc grew into himself, he did so proudly and openly. He was deeply involved in the LGBTQ+ community, never missing a Pride parade and never shied away from showing up exactly as he was, colorful, expressive, and unapologetically Marc. That same spirit would even shine through his drag persona, Miami Rosa, where performance, music, and confidence all came together in true Marc fashion. Marc loved musicals and movies, and he seemed to have a song lyric or movie quote for just about every situation. His life was a constant mix of music, laughter, and connection, and he carried that energy everywhere he went. Of course he loved to laugh, but Marc also came with a sharp tongue and legendary sass. If you were truly close to him, you probably argued at least once, maybe even swore you were done with each other, and then somehow ended up together and laughing like nothing ever happened.

Marc's love of expression, style, and transformation naturally led him into cosmetology, where he built a successful career in hair and makeup and found real joy in helping people feel confident, seen, and beautiful. He loved transformation in all its forms, from styling hair and creating looks to reimagining spaces and setting a vibe. Marc's love for people and celebration naturally led him into bartending, where he became known for both his cocktails and his charisma. He later launched Gemin-Eye Entertainment, combining his passion for event planning and promotion with his natural ability to bring people together. If there was a party, Marc would find it. If there wasn't one, he would make one. Music, dancing, and laughter followed him everywhere, and life with Marc always seemed to come with its own soundtrack.

In recent years, as ongoing health challenges began to slow his pace, Marc's world grew quieter and more centered around familiar routines and the people and places he loved. His bartending shifted from the high-energy pace of crowded clubs to a calmer rhythm, and he eventually found his way to Lyric Theatre, a place that felt like a natural home for someone who had always loved music, storytelling, and performance. Of course, anyone who knew Marc also knew the real reason he was there was for the discounts and free tickets. During this later season of life, much of Marc's heart and daily focus belonged to his beloved dogs, Dobby, Oso, and Finn. They were his babies, his constant companions, and the center of his world. He rarely went a day without taking photos or videos of them, proudly showing them off, and finding comfort and purpose in caring for them.

At the center of Marc's life was his mother, Rachel Brinlee Flores, who was both his foundation and his safe place. He inherited much of his humor, sass, and vibrant spirit from her, and their bond shaped the way he loved and connected with others. She may not have always understood every part of Marc's colorful life or the choices he made, but she never stopped loving him, and she was always home to him. Losing her was a loss he carried deeply, one that quietly marked the years that followed.

Marc is survived by his niece, Shelby Salas Brinlee, who grew up in the same home with him and remained one of the most important people in his life. Their relationship looked a lot like siblings, full of teasing, arguments, fierce loyalty, and a kind of love that never changed. He loved Shelby deeply, along with her wife, Marenda Podhorsky, their children Jeremy Warren, Mya Warren, Anna Warren, and Erica Royal, and their four beloved grandchildren, Brycen Castello, Amari Johnson, Braxton Warren, and Aria Redd. Some of Marc's happiest moments were spent simply being at their home, enjoying time together, loving on the animals she has on her land, and looking forward to the arrival of new baby animals. Being with them brought him comfort, connection, and a sense of family that meant everything to him.

Marc was also surrounded throughout his life by a chosen family of close friends who loved him deeply and stood beside him through every phase of his life. These friendships were never casual or passing. They were lifelong, loyal, and filled with the same laughter, honesty, and unbreakable connection that defined Marc himself. This circle of friends was family in every way that mattered, and their love remained a constant presence in his life.

Marc is also survived by his stepfather, Gene Brinlee, along with extended family members who remained an important part of his life, including his sister-in-law Bobbie Salas, his tio Eddie Rivera and wife Irma Rivera, and many others who became family to him through love, loyalty, and shared life. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rachel Brinlee Flores, his father, Pedro Salas Sr., his brother Frank Salas, and his tio Able Rivera. He will also be deeply missed by members of Shelby's family who embraced him as their own, including Dana Kelly, Kenzie Varner, Lucretia Grimes, and Chrystal King, whose presence and care were an important part of his life and story.

More than anything, Marc will be remembered for the way he made people laugh. He had a gift for turning ordinary moments into something unforgettable, filling everyday life with humor that stayed with you long after the moment passed. His quick wit, music, and unmistakable spirit live on in the countless inside jokes and shared memories that will keep people smiling for the rest of their lives. Though he is deeply missed, those who loved him find comfort in knowing he is now at peace, held again by his mother and finally resting in the comfort he had been longing for.