Mark E. Dantzler

Mark E. Dantzler, Beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew and friend, left this life on May 24, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Mark was the eldest son of Lou and Ruby Dantzler, born August 3, 1962 in Los Angeles, California. At age 6, Mark became one of the original members of the Challengers Boys & Girls Club. After graduating in 1980 from John Marshall High School in Pasadena, he enlisted in the US Army and became a telecommunications operator. After his four-year stint in the military, he was honorably discharged and went to work for the LA Unified School District for five years, after which he took a position with Southern California Edison and later became a graphic designer with KTTV, Channel 11 a Fox Affiliate in Los Angeles. When Mark's father had become ill in 1999, Mark resigned from his position at KTTV Channel 11 to join his father and brother at Challengers Boys & Girls Club. There he was able to cultivate his artistic talents and discover a passion for working with young people. Together with his brother Corey, Lou's vision for Challengers contiued to grow. He started first as the Radio Program Coordinator and was soon promoted to Challengers Program Director, a position he held for the last ten years. Mark is preceded in death by his beloved father Lou Dantzler and leaves an adoring mother Ruby Dantzler, brother Corey Dantzler and treasured nephews Justin and Brandin Dantzler, four aunts Alice (Nate) Sparks, Annie Neal, Sarah Whaley and Sallie Pelze; an uncle Michael (Wendy) Talley, cherished girlfriend Amber Wynn and a host of much loved cousins, relatives and friends. Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Second Baptist Church, 925 S. Shamrock Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016. A private interment will be held at Riverside National Cemetery.