Linda Padgett Hinman
Mark and I went to high school in Germany together. We had mutual friends which enabled us to further build a friendship. After coming back to the states and during the beginning of computers, I finally broke down and became computerized. Through the internet I was able to find old friends from those high school days that I wondered about for over thirty years. One day I received a phone call from Mark that I could never have expected in a million years. Not only was a surprise to receive this call but to find out he was less than an hour from me. We met again and continued to become better friends and closer friends than we were earlier in life.We experienced a “Germany” trip for the closing of our old high school where we attended the last graduating class of less than 30 students; revisited my old apartment complex, the high school, my city, and Würzburg’s castle. We also visited his town of Kitzingen about 30 minutes away, seeing his old home and the town he enjoyed so much. Other students were visiting during the school closing too so we all became friends, spent time together and added new memories. A trip of a lifetime. Mark and I would go to lunch every month or two if we could- he treating one day and me treating the next. We went to his son’s beautiful wedding where I was able to finally meet both Trey and Melissa, his children, both delightful and kids to be so proud of. He was full of love and proud of them both. Once getting lung cancer are visits got a bit fewer as the chemo was affecting how he felt. We’d chat and catch up and plan our next visit, never complaining and always optimistic about the next time, which didn’t take place. Mark was never a complainer so it was hard to gage how he felt. Private! I was not prepared his loss. I don’t have my good buddy any more. I have wonderful memories of out times- he especially liked our class reunions in Vegas. I will toast him at the Memiorial to those classmates we have lost this June, the next reunion. I will have to remember his spirit and think about our other ones. You only live once- enjoy it and make sure you are remembered and adored by all. Make sure your legacy was a “ nice, friendly guy who was fun, was sentimental, loved his family and above all exuded Class”. You can’t learn class- you either have it or you don’t! Love you Mark!
