Mark Samuel Garner Jr.

He was born September 24, 1934, to parents Mark S. Garner, Sr and Anna Louise Marks Garner at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas.

Although he lived in many locations throughout his father’s military service in the Army during World War II and Korea, San Antonio was always Mark’s home.

Mark loved sports and excelled in all that he participated in. He graduated from Sam Houston High School in 1952 where he lettered all three years in football and basketball, proudly leading his football team as quarterback and captain.

Mark entered the Air Force in 1955 at Lackland AFB and retired 22 years later in 1976 at Barksdale AFB as a Command Pilot with the rank of Lt Colonel. He completed his pilot training at Laredo AFB, Class 60-F. He graduated from Squadron Officer School, 62-B at Maxwell AFB.

Mark began his career flying the B52-G stationed at Loring AFB. Among assignments while there, he participated in “Chrome Dome” flights over the North Pole and the Mediterranean Sea during the Cuban Missile Crisis, October 1962.

Mark volunteered for duty in Vietnam and flew the RF-4C out of Udorn RTAFB, northern Thailand, in 1968, successfully completing 100 missions over North Vietnam.

Mark received many awards during his impressive career, most notably the Distinguished Flying Cross for a mission over North Vietnam May 20, 1968, while “he was subjected to continuous hostile anti-aircraft, missile and MIG threats through the most heavily defended area yet encountered in aerial combat”. He later received the Air Force Commendation Medal as Mission Director, 43rd Strategic Wing, Anderson AFB, Guam, from Dec 17, 1972, to Jan 2, 1973, during Operation Linebacker II. He was commended for “prompt and accurate decisions during extremely crucial air operations” and “his ability to control aircraft traffic during the largest operation ever performed by the Strategic Air Command”.

After his retirement from the Air Force, Mark attended Centenary College in Shreveport, LA, earning a degree in Geology. He went on to work as a Geologist in the office of Harvey Broyles for several years before deciding to retire again and pursue the fine art of leisure golfing and general wandering around, which he perfected. Later in his life he returned to a childhood love of building model airplanes, perhaps his inspiration for his Air Force career. In spite of the challenges of Lewy Body Dementia, he could still build a fuselage or wingspan and quickly identify which part belonged to which aircraft.

Mark is survived by his wife of 40 years, Becky. Mark was most proud of his three children and felt each one excelled above and beyond their peers in each of their chosen fields. He is also survived by their mother, Wanda Hills Garner. He was preceded in death by his middle son, Tim. He is survived by his son, Mike (Debbie) and his daughter Tina (Ross), and four stepchildren. From these, there are numerous of the world’s greatest grandchildren and great-grandchildren, with the bonus of one on the way.

Interment services for Mark will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at 11:15 AM on the grounds of Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.

Think of Mark and his fellow airmen whenever you look up and see one of our countries’ magnificent aircraft defending our freedom, flying overhead in our constant protection. And if you are so inclined, a sunset toast on your favorite warm beach is also appropriate.