"Mark McClure was my father i was very sad when i had found out that he had died."          Taylor McClure

"Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends"  Jesus talking to his disciples in John 15:13, just hours before taking up His cross.  Mark told me this was his favorite verse a year or two ago.  

There are friends and there are friends.  Mark was a friend in the best sense of the word.  Whether it was an all day road trip or five minutes to move a heavy load, he was there.  Happiness to him was to help another in need.  He carried my business cards to advertise whenever possible.  He offered to buy me lunch even though he didn't have much money. 
His good natured humor and ready wit looking to hit your funny bone when you're not looking :)

Many people say what a great guy I was to give him a job, but the truth is just this:  I gave him work, he gave me his heart.  I was not worthy of this honor, but Mark thought so.  And it speaks of his greatness.  A greatness that comes from a good, great, gracious God!  Mark would not suffer me to write about my shortcomings as his friend.  It is enough to say when he really needed me, I came halfway.  But Mark received what I had to offer with grace.  He didn't complain.  Mark was strong in many ways, but he had a gentle heart.  A heart that understood failure and forgiveness.  Though man may prove unfaithful, Mark knew the One who never leaves or forsakes us, Jesus.
Yes, the Lord has taught me about His grace.  In the face of failure as a friend, He reminds me that He has grace for us all. And now, Mark lacks nothing.  He's present with the Lord, our truest Friend who never fails. Time is a gift.  Without it, we'd have no time to change.  To find ourselves wanting, humbled.  And, yes, time to hear the word of love spoken.  God's word. I'm thankful that the Lord brings beauty out of ashes in this broken, broken world.  I dream of the day when my faith will be sight, when I no longer have to wait for the Lord, when temptation is no more, when we can all see the one who is truly worthy of our praises.  
Yes, that will be quite a day!

Mark's last days were spent giving his best effort, thinking ahead so we could get the most done with a high level of precision.
So many hours spent working together those last two weeks.  He persevered even to the last day.  The last week especially.  We worked from 6am until 7pm Tuesday, Wed. and Thursday.  Friday, we finished around 3pm so I could take my kids fishing.  But Mark wasn't finished.  He was still thinking about me and our job long after we had left. At 7:30pm, he called me to see how we could work around a problem at the jobsite.  He was all about getting the job done.  And he ws concerned with doing it in an upright manner.  A very rare combination.  I distinctly remember Mark's words on a few of those early mornings.  "Let's do what we gotta do".  Period. Let's go.  That was Mark's mark.  Just over an hour later, Mark was ushered into the presence of the Lord.  The Lord knows why. 

Mark I give you a tribute shared among fighter pilots:

So, here's a nickel on the grass to you my friend; to your spirit, enthusiasm, sacrifice and courage.  But most of all to your friendship.  Yours is a dying breed and when you are gone the world will be a lesser place.


Our world may feel lesser, but heaven is greater and we are greater because of what God showed us in Mark's life. And greater days are before us as we follow Christ our Lord.  Yes, we mourn.  But, if we let Him, the Lord will turn our mourning into dancing.  Mark is doing just that right now.  Never to mourn again.  

Mark quite possibly had the best sense of humor this side of heaven, for all the right reasons. So I close with a couple of his jokes.  Many of you know how much Mark loved the Marines and always wore a Marine cap... 

Do you know what Marine stands for?

Muscles
Are
Required
Intelligence
Not 
Essential

How about Army?

Aren't
Really
Marines
Yet 

Anyone else got a funny memory or joke they'd like to pass along?

I heard a song Monday that sent chills up my spine.  Richard Marx singing “Right Here Waiting”, it reminded me of Mark in many ways. In the lyrics, the song says, “Wherever you go, whatever you do, I will be right here waiting for you. Whatever it takes, or how my heart breaks, I will be right here waiting for you”. I was reminded of how great our God in heaven is, and how this must be the kind of thing He feels for us, His children. But, it reminded me of Mark because of the day that I learned that he could play the piano.  We were at the Everett Mall (which was quite often in those days) and I thought I’d try to impress a few passer-by’s of the female gender by playing my heart out on one of the pianos on display at the piano store in the mall.  First, Chopsticks, then Mary Had a Little Lamb, and finally, a not-too-shabby version of Happy Birthday. I was feeling pretty proud of myself until Mark stepped up to the piano next to me busted out a flawless performance of “Right Here Waiting”.  I was absolutely floored! I had no idea he could play like that.  I knew I recognized the tune but I further embarrassed myself in front of the fine young ladies when I asked if that was the theme music to “Entertainment Tonight”.  Veeeerrrry impressive!
  That was near the beginning of our mall-rat days.  We were there usually there every week in the summer after graduation.  Mark used to wow people with his magic tricks or dumbfound them with his silly antics that left people staring at him like a dog looks at a high-pitched noise, or scratching their heads at what they just witnessed.  Such as, the times when he would act as if he had an imaginary bat flying around his head that he kept trying to dodge. And the time he put an Out-Of-Order sign on the restrooms and just watched as people would frantically search for another place to go. Or when he had to appear in court for a traffic ticket and asked me to join him.  While there, waiting in the courtroom for his name to be called, he started pointing his laser pen at the judges’ face during the hearings. That was before people knew about those little pointer lasers.
  I first met Mark in high school. We weren’t very close back then but we shared a few classes and rode the bus to Sno-Isle Skills Center where he attended the machinist class and I was next door in the diesel shop.  But the real fun was on the bus ride to and from Sno-Isle.  That’s where we met Mary, the bus driver and probably raised her blood pressure to unhealthy levels.  Mark introduced himself to Mary as the name “Chuck”, which may have been a deliberate alias for the year of mischief he and the rest of us had in mind to put Mary through on the long rides.  He used to say “mama always told me that there’s always one weird person on every bus….but I couldn’t find him!”
  Mark was always eager to help someone out. He looked forward to the chance to hang out with his friends or just to share a joke on the phone.
  When he and Holly lived in Colorado, he had an accident in his garage that involved his hand making contact with the blade of a table saw, and the result was him losing several fingers on one of his hands.  Even then, I remember him making jokes at his own expense. He’d say things like, “It wasn’t too bad, I only lost a hand full of fingers.” Or, he would sing, “I fought the saw and the saw won…” which only further illustrates his quirky sense of humor.  He never let what others saw as handicaps or disabilities slow him down. And he could still play the piano very well.  Once healed, he used one of his half-fingers and would push it up his nostril and show the kids that that’s what happens when you pick your nose.  Always an entertainer.
  Mark seemed to be struggling to fit-in most of the time.  He certainly was unique.  But, in the last few years, he became more and more disconnected with his true self.  His seizures became more frequent and maybe more intense. He’d call me from time to time and apologize to me for things that I never held against him.  I’d listen to him talk and sometimes I couldn’t understand his state of mind.  He’d nearly beg me to make some time to spend with him.  A friend should never have to do that, and I regret chances I passed up the opportunity to just hang out.  I remember the last time I saw Mark.  He was walking through a crosswalk at a stoplight in Monroe, and I was driving home from work. He never saw me but I wish I had taken a few minutes to stop and chat for a bit.  It’s tragic when you realize the chance you passed up to see a friend, turns out to be the last time you’ll see them alive.  I never dreamed that I’d turn my head and he’d be gone.
  We didn’t lose him. We know where he is.  The bible tells us that to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord. His body is renewed.  All of his fingers, his sharp and clear quick witted mind, and probably even most of his hair!  It’s all there.  And we will see him again.  Praising and worshipping God together.  Hopefully he won’t be pointing that silly red laser pen on God’s face while I’m trying to praise the Lord!
 
God we know You know him best
You know his loyalty.
You took him home, but when You did,
You took my friend from me.

I wonder if he’s telling jokes
Or showing “slight-of-hand”
Or playing his piano
In a way no other can.

God, I miss my dear friend Mark
But I can still rejoice
I’ll shake his hand again, someday
And hear his happy voice.

But, until then, I’ll see his face
Upon his two young sons.
And laugh inside each time I think,
About his silly puns.

Thank You, God for giving me,
My priceless, precious friend.
It’s by Your grace that I can pray, 
In Jesus’ name, amen.

Jodie and James,
 I am in Phoenix AZ right now and just happened to see a note re: this on line.  I was hoping against hope, that it was not your Mark. My prayers and condolences are with you and your family. Something like this is always hard to understand. Let God hold you and your family in his arms to get you through all of this.... God Bless!   Love, Bobbi and Tony Guerrero

Our Savior said I NEVER SAID IT WOULD BE EASY...I ONLY SAID IT WOULD BE WORTH IT. He is is in the arms or our SAVIOR, may your memories keep you going so you can all be together again.

My prayers go out to you.  Mark was a good C.O., good man, and good Marine.  He will be missed by all.

Lou

James and Jody & family,
I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm praying that you will feel God's comfort and care as he carries you through this difficult path.
Love, Kurt and Robin Hilt

My condolences to Marks family on their loss.  I will remember Mark in my prayers.

Jody,
My thoughts and my prayers are with you and your family during this extremely difficult time. I pray that you will feel God's loving arms of comfort and peace wrapped tightly around you.  God Bless you and your family.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the McClure family. I have good memories  of Mark during our youth group years. May God comfort Mark's family during this difficult time. I am truely sorry for your loss.

My thoughts and prayers are with the McClure family...May god bless and keep you!

Jody and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Mark's early passing.  Our hearts go out to you at this difficult time.  May our gracious God comfort you in your sorrow.

I loved Mark very much!!  I last saw him in person a month ago. We had a good chat.  He assured me that he accepted Jesus into his life a long time ago. That means he is in heaven right now!!
 He is free from turmoil in his life.  I do miss him.
  We love and pray for the family!!
   Love,
Blayne+ Betty + Stephanie Greiner

I loved Mark very much!!! Talked to him in person a month ago, and he encouraged me alot in that I was a role model to him. I will miss him alot!!  He assured me that he committed his life to Jesus along time ago.  That means he is in heaven now...no more turmoil in his life.

   Betty + I pray much for his family!!!
   Love,  Blayne , Betty, + Stephanie Greiner

Dear James, Jody, Cory, Merilee and family: We extend our deepest love and sympathy to you all at this time.
With our prayers
Maurice and Zelma Greiner

Our thoughts and prayers are with the McClure family at this difficult time. I first met Mark when our mothers worked for the same company in Monroe. He was a very nice and caring person. God Bless!

OBITUARIO

Mark James McClure

14 octubre, 1976 – 26 marzo, 2010

Purdy & Kerr with Dawson Funeral Home

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