Tom Mark

Tom, Moose, Big T, Big Teaser, Tommy, T-Bone, T, Dad, Papa.  Tom Mark was all of those things to so many people.  

Sadly, Tom Mark passed away in Monrovia, CA on February 5th, two months shy of he and Denise’s 38th wedding anniversary.

His heart was as big as he was, and he was loyal to a fault.  He loved his family and friends, and he never met a stranger he didn't strike up a conversation with.  He wasn’t just the life of the party, he WAS the party.  His go-to Karaoke song was Rod Stewart’s “Do You Think I’m Sexy.” He spent many years trying to convince people he wasn’t Chris Farley.

He was the self-appointed Encinitas Avenue Commissioner.  He knew every neighbor. If it happened on our street, he knew about it.  

He was a semi-truck driver for 40 years, and yet a terrible back seat driver.  He loved his boat, BIG TEASER, and spent many years taking people on Lake Havasu.   Even more than his boat, Tom loved their two knucklehead dogs, Morty and Hazel.

As an ordained Universal Life Church minister, he was proud to have performed eleven weddings.   He made each one personable and always teared up.  He boasted that all eleven couples are still married to this day.  

He loved to watch videos of RV life, hoping one day to convince Denise to take off and go to Alaska for six months.  Denise was just about ready to give in…Denise and Tom were making final decisions on their Prescott, Arizona dream home the day he passed away. 

Sharing in so many memories and love, are his wife, Denise (Dillon), their daughters Hilary Ramirez and Kelsey Mark, son-in-law Gabriel Ramirez and the absolute light of Tom’s life, his granddaughter Isabella Zoe Ramirez, as well as his mother Carol and his younger brother John.  

 He was preceded in death by his father George and his brother Peter.

 We are all certain he is now in a better place, enjoying a Captain Morgan & Diet Coke, and eating a piece of string cheese.

 A celebration of Tom’s amazing life is being planned in the next few months.

 While Tom died of a sudden heart attack, donations can be made in Tom’s honor and his father George’s memory to the Parkinson Foundation:   https://www.parkinson.org/

 Arrangements are under the care of Douglass & Zook Funeral and Cremation Services, Monrovia, CA.