Mark Emile Brautigam, Sr.

Mark Emile Brautigam, Sr. was born on April 20, 1963 in Bilwaskarma, Nicaragua to Neil Dalmain and Olga Kittle Brautigam. He was raised in Bluefields, Nicaragua with his nine siblings, Rochelle, Barbara, Neil, Stephen, Dennis, Craig, Melanie, Kevin, and Kurt. Mark was an active child who took part in all sorts of sports and activities. He played basketball and was on a Little League baseball team, even traveling to Panama for one of their championship games. Even when he wasn’t playing the sports, he loved to be involved in them, from scorekeeping to playing baseball board games. This love for sports would become a lifelong passion for Mark.

Mark was a sociable and approachable person who had numerous acquaintances and a number of close friends. While growing up, some of his best friends were Penrod, Ricky, Dwight, and Donovan, but throughout his entire life his best friend was Raul Morrison. After graduating from Colegio Moravo in 1982, Mark was employed for 20+ years at Trails End Heating and AC with his brother Craig, ultimately becoming the general manager. He was a hard worker who could always be counted on to uphold professional standards. Mark was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

On June 15, 1991 Mark exchanged wedding vows with Sarah Edna Wilson Hunter at a private ceremony in Las Vegas, Nevada. One of his most endearing qualities was his unending enthusiasm and love for spending time with his family. Mark was ever watchful of his sons and maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Mark was blessed with two children, Mark Emile Jr. and Kevin Neil. He was also a lover of animals, and his family was later rounded out by his Husky Shepard, Hunter.

Mark’s love for sports continued to be one of his favorite hobbies. Whenever he got the chance, he could be found watching baseball, football, or basketball at both college and professional levels. He even recreationally played local softball. Outside of sports, Mark was a foodie and loved spending time with his family and friends. In his adulthood, some of his closest friends were Daisy and Evans Curtis, and his cousins Kenneth Taylor and Gene Taylor. Faith was also important to him, and he was a member of the Moravian Church and attended Lutheran Good Samaritan Church.

Mark passed away on January 2, 2021 at St. Rose Hospital in Las Vegas after battling bravely against COVID-19 and pneumonia. He is survived by wife, Sarah; sons, Mark and Kevin; his mother, Olga; and his siblings, Rochelle, Stephen, Dennis, Craig, Melanie, Kurt; and a host of nieces and nephews. Services were held at Palm Southwest Mortuary.

All who knew him would agree that Mark was a pillar of their lives. With a strong work ethic and pragmatism about him, he was always seeking to better his own life and the lives of the people he surrounded himself with. Mark Emile Brautigam Sr. did his best to ensure that his family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life he touched was given the chance to become a better person, and he will be deeply missed.