Mark Tallent Obituary

There will be two memorial services to celebrate the life of Mark A. Tallent, 55, of Oklahoma City, OK. The first service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, in the University Christian Church, 616 Bud Wilkinson Dr., Norman, OK 73069. The second service will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, in the Hills-Ely Funeral Home Chapel, Medford. Arrangements are under the direction of Hills-Ely Funeral Home, Medford. He was born July 13, 1953 in Woodward, to Donald M. and Virginia Lucille (Judd) Tallent, and passed from this life Friday, November 21, 2008 at his home in Oklahoma City. He attended school in Taloga, graduated from Medford High School in 1971 and earned a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree from Oklahoma State University. Mark had been employed for the Corporation Commission, worked for Thomas Keilhorn and Associates, polling and surveys, and was currently doing contract work for Oklahoma Education Association, serving as deputy director of the petition drive. He was very interested in politics. He was a member of the First Christian Church of Medford. He was preceded in death by his parents. Mark is survived by two brothers, Donald L. Tallent and wife, Cathy of Littleton, CO, and Larry Tallent and wife, Pauline of Norman six nieces and nephews other relatives and many friends. Memorials may be made to the American Mental Health Foundation with the Hills-Ely Funeral Home, P.O. Box 280, Medford, OK 73759, serving as custodians of the funds.

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Published by Oklahoman on Nov. 25, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Mark Tallent

3 Entries

Marty Bull

November 25, 2008

Mark was an interesting guy. We had a lively conversation about our days at OSU. He did great work on the HOPE campaign. My sympathy goes out to all his loved ones.

Terry Almon

November 25, 2008

Friendship has many definitions. Some define it as trust and respect between two people. Others say it is affection and companionship. Some believe it is unconditional acceptance and a commitment to understanding. Mark and my friendship was all of that and more. Our friendship was instant and became deeper with every year that passed from eighteen years ago when we first met. Of course getting to know each other happened quickly for us as we were thrown together in an environment that we both loved – a political campaign. Campaigns are fast paced and provide for spending a lot of time together. We became friends quickly over a six month period where the campaign staff practically lived with each other. It was like so many campaigns – thrown together with makeshift furniture and equipment, a variety of political consultants, lots of laughs and passionate arguments, and constant fund-raising. We built a staff that worked non-stop through good days and bad. Mark and my personalities were very different. In other circumstances, I’m not sure we would have become close friends but we shared a common goal and we were determined to win. Mark was reluctant to ever be in the spotlight and I am known to be pretty hard charging … some would say I can be like a bull in a china closet. In the midst of this campaign, we all traveled the state to build support. In one trip, we headed out to a town to make a presentation. While in route and a car full of staff, I cavalierly handed out assignments on how we would make this campaign pitch. Mark, being in charge of getting out the vote, was assigned the task of presenting that to the audience. After we arrived at our destination, Mark pulled me aside with a look of sheer terror on his face and said, “I can’t make a presentation, I don’t speak in public, I just can’t do that.” Never one to take no for an answer and after about 10 minutes of assuring Mark that he would do great and to simply talk to the audience like he talked to the staff, Mark made the presentation and he did it beautifully. Afterward, with that unusual laugh and the nerves showing, he said, "Don't do that to me again". That incident defined a lot of our relationship. I always had so much more confidence in Mark than he ever did.

Recently, Mark managed recruiting and managing the petition circulators in the HOPE initiative campaign. He was largely responsible for the success of the campaign. He cared deeply for the circulators and made sure they were treated well.

I loved talking to and sharing with Mark about so many things. I loved his insightful intellect, his knowledge of the bigger policy issues, his passion for and faith in people, his quick and sometimes cutting wit and his great laugh. He was a gentle soul and respected people and didn’t tolerate well those who were not compassionate for individuals – particularly those who were less fortunate. Politics was never left out of any conversation. But we also talked about our families. He loved being around my kids and talked fondly of his nieces and nephews. He watched my children grow up and listened to my heartaches and my triumphs. He tried to get me to listen to “better music” – I unsuccessfully encouraged him to get over Joan Jett. I listened to Mark’s opinions, his self-doubt and torments that he could not shake. I comforted and reassured him and tried so hard for him to believe about himself all of the wonderful things I knew about him.

In a harbor, two ships sailed--one setting out on a voyage, the other coming home to port. Everyone cheers the ship going out, but the ship sailing in is scarcely noticed. To this, a wise man said, "Do not rejoice over a ship setting out to sea, for you cannot know what storms it may encounter. Rather, rejoice over the ship that has safely reached port and brings its passengers home in peace."

I am proud to say Mark was my friend. I loved him very much and I will miss him terribly.

My heart aches selfishly for the loss of my dear friend but my heart also knows that Mark’s storms are over and he is finally at peace.

Karol Wilson

November 25, 2008

I enjoyed working with you on the HOPE petition.

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