Mark Alan Stewart "But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it." - Matthew 10:19 Mark Alan Stewart, of McKinney, Texas, passed unexpectedly on January 1, 2015, at age 59. Born in Warren, Ohio, he had also resided in Gadsden, Alabama, Greenville, South Carolina, and Houston, Texas. He was preceded in death by his father, James LeRoy Stewart, his mother, Doris Jean Blystone Stewart, and his beloved rescue dogs, Duchess and Buddy. He attended Wade Hampton High School and Clemson University. For two decades he worked as a real estate appraiser in the Houston and Dallas areas. For the last ten years he worked for Fannie Mae, earning the title of Fraud Analyst. Mark was a Renaissance man, though he would have been embarrassed by the title. He was an artist, painting early in his life and enjoying opera later in life. A voracious reader, his home office library was filled with books about history and politics. He was particularly interested in WWI and WWII and was currently writing a novel about the WW1 battle in Verdun, France. He loved fine woodworking, building dollhouses for his step-grandchildren, and planned to expand his interest by building furniture when he retired. Most of all, he loved spending time with his beloved wife Martha and animals, especially his dogs: Bella, a rescue from Hurricane Katrina, and Bruno. He expressed his love of learning to the children in his family, by frequently making family trips to the nearest Half-Priced Books. He was extremely well versed in current events and politics and was on occasion, a guest caller on the Dennis Miller show. Mark was known for his quick wit. He volunteered, teaching English at the local library. He leaves his wife, Martha, with whom he would have celebrated ten years of marriage later this month. Survivors include: his son Spencer Stewart and stepdaughter Shelley Rosier McCormick of Houston, Texas. His three sisters, Lori Goldberg and husband David; sister, Lynne Miller, and sister Leigh Fabbri and husband Mike, children Evan and Grant, all of the Dallas area. He also leaves behind nephew James Outen, wife Crystal, sons Brendan and Bryce, niece Landon Dunning Newsom, husband Robby and children Scarlette and Liam. He also leaves step-children, Yvonne, Kim, Martha, and Victor - The Regalado families, and many nieces, nephews, and grand-children of Martha's, whom he truly embraced as his own. Mark's love and care for many stray dogs and abandoned animals over the years was a continual fondness shared with the entire family. The family would appreciate those wanting to make a donation in his memory, to consider the SPCA of Texas or your local no-kill animal shelters. A Celebration of Life service will be at Cottonwood Baptist Church on Saturday, the 10th of January, at 1:00 PM. The address is 1015 Sam Rayburn Tollway, Allen, TX 75013 972 359-7777. Arrangements are under the direction of ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home 19310 Preston Road Dallas, Texas 75252 214-306-6700