Sequim, Washington, US
U.S. Army
SSGT, Army National Guard
6/26/2010, San Tan Valley, US
It deeply saddens us to announce the passing of Staff Sergeant Mark Aaron Mathis. On June 26, 2010 Mark passed away at his home in San Tan Valley, Arizona after a three year battle with injuries and illnesses received in Afghanistan during the support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Mark became a casualty of war.
Mark is survived by his mother, Judy Price; father, Jim Mathis; step-mother, Susan Hansberry-Mathis; two daughters, Sierra and Elaine Mathis; son Markus Close; sister, Jamie Mathis and brother-in-law, Gordon Nellis; brother, Reed Mathis and sister-in-law, Debbie Drake Mathis; step-sister, Emily Hudon and extended family, Elaine, Jim and Jeremy Copeland; countless aunt, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and too many friends to list.
Mark was born September 2, 1971 in Everett Washington. At age four, with his adoring family, he moved to Sequim, Washington. He made many friends through his participation in sports, fishing, hunting and simply being Mark. He was a 1990 graduate of Sequim High School. After high school he went on to attend the College of Southern Idaho on a track and field scholarship. Upon graduation from college Mark started a family. Throughout his life his children always remained his top priority. Mark proudly served in the Army National Guard from 1999 until present, where he made hundreds of friends, whom he dearly loved.
Mark was laid to rest in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. Mark was preceded in death by grandparents, Talmadge and Lucille Mathis and Marv and Elaine Sanders