Mark Sells

Mark Christopher Sells was called to be with Jesus at the age of 62 on Tuesday, February 27th, 2024. Mark was a loving husband, father, brother, friend, and mentor. Though he was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer just two weeks before his sudden passing, he remained unafraid and unshaken by the strength of his faith. His fighting and warrior spirit urged him to stay, but he ultimately trusted the Lord with his life and did not suffer long. His loss is heavy and felt deeply by those who had the pleasure of knowing him, as he was a truly special and influential man.

Mark was born on May 22nd, 1961 in Fort Meade, Maryland to parents George Joseph Sells Jr. and Jean Govier Christian Sells. He was the youngest of eight children and a self-proclaimed Army brat, moving between Virginia, Kentucky, Washington, California, and Taiwan. He often reminisced about his time in Kentucky as a boy riding horses, fishing, hunting, spending time in nature, and getting into trouble before settling down in Texas permanently after graduating from Round Rock High School.

He was artistic and creative, often painting, drawing, writing, and playing the drums. Mark was passionate about music and loved the Austin music scene - a mixture of blues, rock, and country - and was the drummer for The Torpedoes in the ‘80s. He especially loved rocking out at the Back Room, Antone’s, and Alley Oops on Sixth Street where he could be seen drumming through the window on the street.

In his professional life, Mark enjoyed his time building custom homes and had been a journeyman painter. His career encompassed sales, recruiting, management, and finance across multiple industries, and he was incredibly hard-working. He also moonlit as an extra in a few major films, including Miss Congeniality and Where the Heart Is. He had a special interest in politics, American history, and firearms and enjoyed taking his daughters to Red’s Gun Range on the weekends. Mark also had a passion for physical fitness and enjoyed early morning CrossFit classes and cycling, participating in cycling tours and biking down State Highway 360.

While not a true native, he was a patriotic Texan and spent most of his adult life in the Austin area. He took pride in “rising with the sun” and many people knew him for his love of sunrises. Much like the sunrise, Mark was boisterous and lit up every room he walked into. He never had an unkind word to say and was determined to use his influence in the workplace and community to build others up. He stood firm in his beliefs and had the gifts of leadership, faith, humor, and hospitality, which all worked in harmony so that the people surrounding him were inspired to believe in themselves. He cared deeply for others and saw the best in people, qualities which are both rare and courageous. In recent years, he found a home in his church family at City Reach Church where he was baptized in October 2023.

He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Elizabeth Sells; daughters, Brittany Elizabeth Schmidt, Gabrielle Rose Sells, and Sophia Alexandria-Rose Sells; stepchildren, Gina Margaret Barrett and Lyon Richard Barrett; granddaughter, Everley Elizabeth Schmidt; and siblings, Jean Therese DeTulio, George Joseph Sells, Carl Franz Sells, Gregory Paul Sells, Jacqueline Celeste Countryman, Barbara Ann Kenefake, and Virginia Govier Birchard. His celebration of life will be held on Friday, March 15th at noon at City Reach Church in Cedar Park, Texas.