Mark Jeffery Larson, 62 of Orlando, Florida, passed on April 16, 2018. Mark was born December 21, 1955 in Palestine, Texas to Martha Reavley Larson and Vincent Engelbart Larson. Mark graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler, Texas and attended Tyler Junior College before transferring to North Texas State University (UNT). In 1978, Mark received a Bachelor's of Business Administration (BBA) from North Texas, and in 1980 he received his Master's of Science in Accountancy (MSA). Shortly after graduation and passing the CPA exam, he married Diane McDowell Larson on May 17, 1980.
Mark started his career in the Dallas office of Peat Marwick Mitchell & Company, then moved to Forth Worth to work for Champlin Petrolium, a division of Union Pacific. In 1983, he took a job as Controller for the city of Fort Worth, until 1989, when the family moved to Corvallis, Oregon, where he became Director of Finance for the City of Corvallis. From 1992 to 2002, the family lived in Greenville, North Carolina, where Mark was Director of Finance for Greenville Utilities Commission. While in Greenville, he attended East Carolina University, where he earned his Master's of Public Administration (MPA). Greenville will always be home. In 2002, he moved to his current employer in Orlando, Florida - Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) as AGM and CFO.
Mark was a creative thinker - an ideas guy. He was incredibly responsible; someone you could always trust and count on.
Mark loved his children, travel, and time spent with them. He was the original do-it-yourself home and auto repair guy, who had lovingly restored his prized possession - a 1963 Corvette Stingray. He was a great mentor to all, avid triathlete and marathon runner, and a constant participant of Lucky's Lake Swim in Lake Cane.
Mark is survived by his wife of 38 years, Diane McDowell Larson of Orlando, Florida; son Jeffery Christian Larson and wife Samantha Staley Larson of Grayslake, Illinois; son Matthew Gayle Larson and wife Mary Whitt Larson of Garner, North Carolina; daughter Candace Marie Larson of Ventura, California; brother Roger Steven Larson (Vonda Larson) of Villa Ridge, Missouri; granddaughters Temperance Marie Larson and Adelaide Mae Larson of Grayslake, Illinois; mother-in-law Mrs. Barbara McDowell of Winter Garden, Florida; sister-in-law Karen List (Robert List) and nieces Rosalie List and Natalie List of Salem, Virginia; brother-in-law John W. McDowell III (Stacy McDowell) of Springtown, Texas; niece Jessica McCrory (Chase McCrory) and great nephew Kade of Sanderson, Texas; many friends and family.
Preceded in death by his parents, Martha and Vincent and father-in-law, Dr. John W. McDowell.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Woodlawn Funeral Home in Gotha, Florida. Memorial Service to be held, Monday, April 23, 2018 at 11 AM at Woodlawn Funeral Home.
The family invites you to please consider making a donation to one of the following charities in Mark's name:
5P- Society: https://5psociety.givingfuel.com/5pminusdonation
Lake Cane Restoration: https://lakecane.com/donate/
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: https://secure.pancan.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2681&mfc_pref=T&2681.donation=form1
Condolences may be offered at www.woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com
