Mark Frederick Castañeda Gomez

1951 - 2026

Mark Frederick Castañeda Gómez, 74, of Evans, Georgia, went into the loving arms of Jesus on March 5, 2026, in the beautiful mountains of Asheville, North Carolina.

He was born in Portland, Oregon on August 20, 1951 to the late Jesús Everardo Castañeda Gómez and his beloved mother, Vivian Ruth (Gómez) Kirkham. Mark grew up in Corbett, Oregon and attended Corbett High School, graduating in 1969. He attended Multnomah School of the Bible where he received his Bachelor of Theology in 1976 and Master of Divinity in 1989 from Multnomah Graduate School of Ministry.

Mark ministered in a variety of capacities throughout his career. He was a youth pastor at Warren Baptist Church in Warren, Oregon; a pastor at George Community Church in Estacada, Oregon; a Young Life Area Director in Lewis County, Washington; a Young Life Metro Director in Pinellas County, Florida; a Young Life Area Director in Yuma County, Arizona and he ended his ministry career as a Mission Pastor at Stoneridge Church in Yuma, Arizona. Mark & Glenda then retired to Evans, Georgia to be closer to their daughters and grandchildren. Relationships were so important to Mark. His most important relationship was with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He prioritized deep connections with family and friends. His family could not have asked for a better husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He made a memorable impact on anyone he met with his enthusiasm for the Lord and his eclectic passions for coaching pole vault, running marathons, singing and playing guitar, earning his pilot's license for small planes, fencing, astronomy and his telescopes, movies, science fiction and fantasy, and a heaping plate of food. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered all the days of our lives.

Mark is survived by his beloved wife of over 51 years, Glenda Gómez; his beloved daughters, Larisa Paige (Philip), Andriana Gómez, & Bria Burton (Brian); his beloved grandchildren, Eliana Paige, Annabelle Paige, & Luke Burton; his beloved six siblings, Everardo Gómez (Elizabeth), Elena Bowers (David), Alicia Fadenrecht (Warren), Marita Cox (Les), Gabe Gómez (Chris), Angelia Welty (Will), and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

He was laid to rest in a private family ceremony on Monday, March 9 at Westover Memorial Park in Augusta, Georgia. A celebration of life service for family and friends will be held in Augusta, Georgia at Stevens Creek Church 600 Stevens Creek Road on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 1PM. There will also be a way to view the celebration of life online for those who can't travel to Augusta. More details to come.

Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to Young Life Augusta (GA21). Mark served on the Young Life Committee for many years. There are multiple ways to donate:

Check: Mail to Young Life Augusta (please specify in memory of Mark Gomez) 2249 B Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904 Augusta.younglife.org ylaugusta@gmail.com 706-733-2507

Online: Giving.younglife.org/Augusta Choose amount, choose one time, click next. Augusta & Operating will be pre-filled. Click on tribute, click on In Memory Of and fill in Mark Gomez. Choose notification preference and click save. Click next. Fill in contact info & payment details and click submit.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com