Mark Steven Herak

Mark Steven Herak, age 78, of Woodstock, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, August 7, 2025 after a long brave struggle with dementia. He was born on August 13, 1946 in Cleveland, Ohio to Milan "Bud" Herak and Ann Herak (Nestich). Mark grew up in Euclid, Ohio with his two younger sisters Linda and Diane. As a boy he learned to play the tamburiza like his dad. He served as an altar server. He worked at his family's businesses as he was growing up. When he attended Cathedral Latin High School in Cleveland, he ran track which became a favorite lifelong activity. After graduation, he attended John Carroll University. Mark was a proud veteran who served in the US Army overseas during the Vietnam War. While in the Army, he met his forever sweetheart, Judy, at a USO dance. They married on July 17, 1971 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in New Jersey and remained so for 54 years. After they settled in Charleston, South Carolina, Mark earned his Bachelor degree in Business Administration at The Citadel in night school. As a hobby, he loved to take pictures with his manual SLR camera. He and a friend opened a roller skate shop in downtown Charleston called High Rollers. His affinity for business and computers merged when he worked in sales for IBM and later on for NCR. He would bring home various computers and introduce technology to the family. Never at a loss for ideas, he enjoyed woodworking and made several pieces of furniture for his home. His neighborhood potlucks and pool committee involvement rounded out his social life. When the family moved to Roswell, Georgia, he took them on picnics, hikes, trout fishing, and trips back to the beach. Running the Peachtree Road Race became a Fourth of July mainstay, and his t-shirt collection grew. As his girls got older, he mentored them in car ownership and taught them to change their oil and tires. He got involved helping the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church teen group. He continued his education at Kennesaw State University and earned a Masters of Business Administration. Soon after, he taught at various local colleges. After he became a grandpa in 2005, his travel adventures continued. Known as "Grandpa" and "Pop Pop," he zig-zagged the country with Judy from Alaska to Arizona and Oklahoma to Alabama celebrating his grandchildren's birthdays, scout ceremonies, sacraments, sporting events and holidays. He never missed a chance to play chess and passed the game down to his grands! They rarely beat their grandfather. He is survived by his wife Judy, daughters Marcia Johnsen and husband Daniel, Dawn Chandler and husband Matthew, and grandchildren Emelia, Morgan, Chase, Simon, Reagan, Patrick and William, sisters Linda Baracz and husband Jerry, Diane Booms and husband Dale, nephews Gregg and Brad, nieces Amy Lemons and husband TJ, and Lauren Baracz and husband Ben, grandnephews Ryder and Beau. He is preceded in death by his parents Milan "Bud" and Ann Herak. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by the Mass at 10:00 a.m. Reception immediately following Mass. Interment will take place at 2:00 p.m. at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Dementia Spotlight Foundation (https://dementiaspotlightfoundation.org/) or Alzheimer's Association (https://www.alz.org/).