Mark passed away in our Freshman grade year after going into High school. He passed away on a tractor accident on his home place. We dedicated our annual supplement to his passing.
Yes it was in 1974, our Freshman year. I remember because I was on the tractor with him, but I had left because I had to be home at a certain time. By the time I got home his Mother called and told my Mom he had an accident and had been crushed under the tractor. He had just gone to church with me the weekend before and gave his life to the Lord. So he is in good hands!
Mark's death was a surprise to all of his classmates. It was tragic and taught me that anything can happen to anyone at any time. I remember Mr. Chester Boyd told us in his class how things would be. He got a pail of water.. stuck his finger in it.. and let a drop of water fall into the now still water in the bucket. He said that death totally disrupts our lives.. but like the drop of water that caused big ripples when dropped.. The ripples eventually disappear and the water goes back to normal. It was hard to imagine things would ever be normal after my friend died. But, it did and now we have memories. Btw.. I till have a scar on my shin from when Mark kicked me while horse playing in science class. Anyone remember him dancing on the counter in front of the class?
Donna and Mike that is so true. But it sure rippled my water for a while. Mike I do remember him doing that and also remember him telling me about your chin. He told it laughing about it but then talked about how bad he felt hurting his friend, he talked about you often. He was so sweet but so mischievous. He was my first boyfriend, although we didn't tell a lot of people due to my parents, lol. I still have a book cover that's got I ❤️ Mark. 😜 You never forget your first love. Although I had no idea really what that meant. I will never forget when he came to my house because my parents were very strict and if you wanted to take me out you had to meet my Father first. My dad is 6'5 and weighed around 270, so he was a big man. So whenever I told a guy they had to meet with my dad first and get his approval they never got the courage to ask. Mark did and he went in and I noticed his back pocket had his Skoal can in it and before I could say anything my Dad took him and closed the door. He came out smiled and shook his head. I knew it was a no to going to the Valentines dance. So I decided that the only way we were going to be able to see each other would be get him to church. The rest is wonderful memories made in such a short time. Man time goes by so fast we have to make it count and don't take for granted we have tomorrow. Love and blessings to you all.
Mike I remember the desk incident very well. I was in that class. It was on Coach V and Coach Harvey's desk in the science class, a double sized classroom. Mark made a bet with Coach that the Farmers would lose their game on Friday and Coach V said they would win. Of course it was all in fun. Mark lost the bet and when Monday came eveyone was waiting and razzing Mark. Some of the students across the hall even came and stood at the door to watch. Mark was a good sport and michievious. He was very popular and it felt so unfair when he died. Lonnie Medker sat next to me in that class and I talked to him a lot about it. I've wondered what would have become of him had he not died. These are great memories and they make me smile to read them.
I REMEMBER THAT DAY WHEN IT HAPPENED.IT WAS SO SAD TO HEAR WHAT HAPPENED.THEN I REMEMBER RAMOND RAMOS DIED FROM TAKING HIGHLAND VILLAGE EXIT OFF 35 AND CAR FLIPPED AND KILLED HIM.LIFE IS SO SHORT
I remember hearing that very afternoon that it happened. News spread like wildfire. I honestly can't remember one person that didn't like Mark! To this day, his funeral had the largest attendance of any funeral that I've attended!
Lisa Steele
I believe Mark passed away in March of 74
Suzanne Woodin (Keleher)
I thought he actually died in 1977, our senior year...not so? So sad, I recall that for sure.
Sherry Ferrell (Pollinzi)
Yes it was in 1974, our Freshman year. I remember because I was on the tractor with him, but I had left because I had to be home at a certain time. By the time I got home his Mother called and told my Mom he had an accident and had been crushed under the tractor. He had just gone to church with me the weekend before and gave his life to the Lord. So he is in good hands!
Donna Bradshaw
What a blessing Sherry, that he was saved before that happen. Life is too short, we never know when our time on earth is up.
Mike Wills
Mark's death was a surprise to all of his classmates. It was tragic and taught me that anything can happen to anyone at any time. I remember Mr. Chester Boyd told us in his class how things would be. He got a pail of water.. stuck his finger in it.. and let a drop of water fall into the now still water in the bucket. He said that death totally disrupts our lives.. but like the drop of water that caused big ripples when dropped.. The ripples eventually disappear and the water goes back to normal. It was hard to imagine things would ever be normal after my friend died. But, it did and now we have memories. Btw.. I till have a scar on my shin from when Mark kicked me while horse playing in science class. Anyone remember him dancing on the counter in front of the class?Sherry Ferrell (Pollinzi)
Donna and Mike that is so true. But it sure rippled my water for a while. Mike I do remember him doing that and also remember him telling me about your chin. He told it laughing about it but then talked about how bad he felt hurting his friend, he talked about you often. He was so sweet but so mischievous. He was my first boyfriend, although we didn't tell a lot of people due to my parents, lol. I still have a book cover that's got I ❤️ Mark. 😜 You never forget your first love. Although I had no idea really what that meant. I will never forget when he came to my house because my parents were very strict and if you wanted to take me out you had to meet my Father first. My dad is 6'5 and weighed around 270, so he was a big man. So whenever I told a guy they had to meet with my dad first and get his approval they never got the courage to ask. Mark did and he went in and I noticed his back pocket had his Skoal can in it and before I could say anything my Dad took him and closed the door. He came out smiled and shook his head. I knew it was a no to going to the Valentines dance. So I decided that the only way we were going to be able to see each other would be get him to church. The rest is wonderful memories made in such a short time. Man time goes by so fast we have to make it count and don't take for granted we have tomorrow. Love and blessings to you all.
Cindy Kelley (Bogan)
Mike I remember the desk incident very well. I was in that class. It was on Coach V and Coach Harvey's desk in the science class, a double sized classroom. Mark made a bet with Coach that the Farmers would lose their game on Friday and Coach V said they would win. Of course it was all in fun. Mark lost the bet and when Monday came eveyone was waiting and razzing Mark. Some of the students across the hall even came and stood at the door to watch. Mark was a good sport and michievious. He was very popular and it felt so unfair when he died. Lonnie Medker sat next to me in that class and I talked to him a lot about it. I've wondered what would have become of him had he not died. These are great memories and they make me smile to read them.
Cindy Kelley (Bogan)
He died in the ninth grade, 1974.
Gary Wood
I REMEMBER THAT DAY WHEN IT HAPPENED.IT WAS SO SAD TO HEAR WHAT HAPPENED.THEN I REMEMBER RAMOND RAMOS DIED FROM TAKING HIGHLAND VILLAGE EXIT OFF 35 AND CAR FLIPPED AND KILLED HIM.LIFE IS SO SHORT
Dennis Burns
I remember hearing that very afternoon that it happened. News spread like wildfire. I honestly can't remember one person that didn't like Mark! To this day, his funeral had the largest attendance of any funeral that I've attended!