Marco Tulio Olmeda

Mark came into this world fighting for life. As a child, he encountered many health problems and fought every step of the way. He was kept in a bubble to protect him from infection, yet later he was pushed down the stairs in a suitcase by his brothers, to then being asked to keep an eye on his sister. He was taught everything he knew about mechanics by his father, in the back yard of their house on McKinley. His mother made sure her children had everything they ever wanted and she taught him responsibility by getting them jobs chopping cotton in Levelland. He met and married an angel, Alecia Phillips, and they were married for almost a year until her untimely death in 1995. He was heart broken but soon found love again.

Mark met his second wife, Shawnalee in the Fall of 1997. He always said, his angels brought Shawnalee to him. They were married on March 2, 1998 after only 6 short months and were blessed with news of a miracle on March 9. He and his wife moved to Austin, with his father, mother, and two brothers, to begin their journey of being business owners. All living in an RV, the family worked relentless 12 hour days and built an empire in the tire business. The family was so close in proximity, that it was easy to celebrate every birthday, holiday, football game and boxing match. They were always together! There was hardly a week that went by that the entire family was not gathered in someone’s house celebrate something. Times were good!

His daughter, Kalista, was born on October 20 and she melted his heart. He always provided the best of everything, but the work load was too much to be able to spend the necessary time with her. So, Mark decided to move and begin his own business in La Feria specializing in automotive repair. He was passionate about his work and his wife fully supported him in his aspirations. Six months of trying to make that shop work, soon revealed that it was very difficult to be so far from family. So, Mark decided to move back and close to Austin.

The next move was to Buckholts, Texas, where he and his wife renovated an old gas station. They worked together painting with little Kalista strapped in a chest carrier. Life was good and allowed them to begin a life, but they were still far away from family. When his dad needed him, he came back to Austin and moved his family and the business with him. Parmer Lane was so successful and close to family, it was wonderful, and things were more settled. Two years of peaceful success soon ended, so they moved to Pflugerville where business was different.

Mark was able to buy a home in Georgetown. Much to their surprise, after four and a half long years of trying for another child, and one week after buying the new house, they were blessed with news of their second miracle, Dylan. Mark was so excited to have a son to carry on his family name. He wanted to teach him everything he knew, just like his dad had done with him.

The final move of his life came when his son Dylan was on his way. Mark knew he needed to make a change prior to Dylan's birth. Mark was blessed to meet a wonderful man by the name of David Stuart, who is now survived by his wife, Joyce. David gave Mark a chance with a shop in Austin and was a mentor and confidant to him.

Life was good, again! Everything was settled and permanent. Mark's family had a home, they were close to everyone and love was in his heart. He loved being able to host parties at his home as his wife cooked for everyone, with recipes she learned from his mother, even though it was never quite as good.

As time moved on and kids grew up, the family was busy with events of their own and the family gatherings grew fewer and fewer. Mark stayed close to his mother and father and saw family when he could or when they came to the shop. Mark focused on his wife and kids, then the need to add on to the house for their third and final miracle of his life, his daughter Ali. His family was complete and he was content.

When Ali started school, so did his wife, and his role changed from provider to care taker for his children. He and Kalista worked together to take care of Dylan and Ali, as his wife completed school so they could have health insurance, retirement, and stability. They had so many plans to start flipping houses, build a bar for retirement, and go to Colorado, as much as possible. They started their plans by purchasing a house in Huntsville for Kalista to attend college in. The first investment on their new journey. It was so exciting. The shop then presented an opportunity to expand and move his dad in with him. He had always dreamed of owning a shop with his dad, and when the opportunity presented itself, he was so excited! It was stressful to some extent, but he was happy to help Ms. Stuart clean up the old shop and get it ready for the expansion to make the combined shop with his dad.

Mark loved his family, especially his children and was so proud of all of them. Kalista is in college, and wanting to pursue her dream of a career in computer science. Dylan is in high school with high hopes and has a love for the outdoors. And Ali, the namesake of his angel, has so much love in her heart for everything.

Mark always chose his own path and walked to the beat of his own drum. His choice hurts us all, but we can only hope it gives him peace now. We cannot know what is in another’s heart, we can only love each other. Mark loved his family and they loved him and hopefully peace and healing will come with time.

A time of visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 in The Chapel of Ramsey Funeral Home. A rosary will be held from 6:00 - 6:30 P.M. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. in The Chapel of Ramsey Funeral Home. An additional visitation will be held Friday, March 30, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. at George Price Funeral Home in Levelland, Texas. A funeral mass will begin at 1:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Burial will be held at the City of Levelland Cemetery in Levelland, Texas, immediately following the mass.