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Stewart, Mark A.

April 6, 1955 –
 January 1, 2015

Obituary

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

    Melissa Entsminger
    3 Jan 2015
    1:54pm

    My condolences and prayers go out for Mark’s family. Mark was a dear man and will be deeply missed.

    Jim Blood
    3 Jan 2015
    10:08pm

    Lori..David…
    I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. Please accept my condolences.

    Marcia Giger
    4 Jan 2015
    10:13am

    Before retiring in 2011, I worked with Mark. He was one of the kindest people I ever knew. I am so sorry for your loss. Words cannot express my sorrow for you.

    Glenn Pierce
    4 Jan 2015
    5:31pm

    So sorry to hear of your sudden loss. Mark was a good man & a friend-colleague.
    Reminded of a scripture that says; “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”.

    Bethann DeFoe
    5 Jan 2015
    11:26am

    I was lucky enough to work with Mark over the years and I learned so much from him. He was one of the most sincere, dedicated and quick witted person’s I’ve ever known. I last spoke with Mark the week before Christmas and he was excited to have family for the holiday and he was so proud of the doll houses that he and his wife had built as Christmas gifts. I’m sure they will be cherished. He was a man of many talents and lived life to the fullest. I’m grateful for his friendship and for the many great memories. My sincere condolences to the family.

    Bernard Dupuy
    5 Jan 2015
    11:37am

    Mark was one of the greats. He will be deeply missed. My condolences and prayers go out to the family.

    Wendy Nelson
    5 Jan 2015
    11:53am

    Mark was a delight to know. I am so sorry for your sudden loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Frank Cheshire
    5 Jan 2015
    12:17pm

    I am terribly saddened to hear of Mark’s passing. He was a good man and an admired colleague. My deepest condolences to his family. He will be missed.

    michelle chastain
    5 Jan 2015
    1:24pm

    Mark was one of the nicest people I knew at Fannie Mae. Always had a great sense of humor He was an early person like myself and would exchange hello’s or small talk walking in together in the morning. You will be missed Mark.

    Nancy Geishecker
    5 Jan 2015
    3:34pm

    So very sorry for your loss. I was one of the lucky ones to have worked with him. He was always kind and dedicated and will be truly missed.

    Eric Upton
    5 Jan 2015
    10:43pm

    Mark was an incredibly smart, quiet and kind man. His passion for his work was infectious. He left us too soon and will be missed.

    Kirk Poehlman
    6 Jan 2015
    8:29am

    I want to express my condolences for your loss. Mark was one of the nicest people I have ever met. His passing was a great shock and he will be deeply missed. Our prayers are with you.

    Ron Box
    6 Jan 2015
    10:15am

    Mark was a great guy, a good friend, very respected and will be missed by all who knew and worked with him. Our thought and prayers are with the family.

    Heidei Parrott-Reynolds
    6 Jan 2015
    1:08pm

    I was very fortunate to work with Mark during my career. He was such a smart, kind, funny person and seemed to have a knack for making everything so much better. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones.

    Joe Lamb
    6 Jan 2015
    5:01pm

    I worked with Mark and he was one of the smartest men I have ever known but he was sincere and thoughtful in his words and actions. We will surely miss such a wonderful spirit. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

    Yvette LaCroix
    6 Jan 2015
    5:11pm

    Mark was one of the nicest and most sincere people that I have ever worked with. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, that they may find peace in celebrating his life and the wonderful man that he was. My sincerest condolences.

    Angela Pira
    6 Jan 2015
    6:11pm

    May God Bless you all at this time . My sincerest condolences for all of Mark’s family. Mark was a wonderful man and will be missed by many.

    Stan Mercer
    7 Jan 2015
    6:56am

    I had the great fortune to see Mark’s face bright and early every morning when I got to the office (he always got there before me and turned on the lights). It was my pleasure to have the opportunity to spend some time with him prior to everyone arriving in the office. Mark was such a humble guy. I told him reading his reports about the findings he made in his reviews was like reading a novel. During my professional career I never worked with anyone as gifted as Mark in writing. I told him this and he never told me he was an english teacher. He just said thanks. I am going to miss his instant messages and emails with all the funny things he found in his appraisal reviews, usually pictures of ridiculous things appraisers said that in no way matched the pictures they took. Mark had a great sense of humor. Even though Mark was not in my group, I could always go to him if I needed his expertise and he would take time to help me. He was full of great knowledge and really understood fraud. I am truly going to miss spending time with him. My conversations with Mark over the last couple years lead me to believe he is with Jesus in paradise just as Jesus promised the thief on the cross. I pray the Lord will give you guys comfort during your time of grief and encourage you to put your faith in the Lord and you WILL be reunited with Mark one day.

    Angel Porterfield
    7 Jan 2015
    7:14am

    As many have expressed before me, Mark was a sweet and gentle man. A pleasure to know. My sympathy to your family.

    Mara Seiler
    7 Jan 2015
    7:40am

    I am so sorry for your loss. Mark was a very sweet gentleman & I enjoyed working with him. We have been in different buildings for many years now but whenever I saw him he always had a smile & a hello.

    Evelyn Torres
    7 Jan 2015
    8:24am

    My condolences and prayers go out to Mark’s family. Mark’s passing was a great shock and he will be greatly missed.

    Pervez Mehta
    7 Jan 2015
    9:18am

    In all the time that I knew Mark he was always so nice to be around. He always had a kind word for everyone, was very sincere and was great to be around. I am fortunate to have met and known Mark.

    Jeffrey Reid
    7 Jan 2015
    10:24am

    Mark truly had a passion for doing things right – for this I saw in his dedication at work as the lead analyst for Appraisal Quality Monitoring at Fannie Mae. To me, Mark was a friend, teacher and mentor – there is so much more to accomplish here and I will miss his guidance along the way. Be at rest my friend.

    Colleen O'Hara
    7 Jan 2015
    11:11am

    Words are hard to come by in describing the saddness I feel for the family and friends closest to Mark. So, so sorry for your loss. As you read the comments of so many, you can see what a positive impact he had on those of us who had the pleasure of working with him over the years. Mark was truly a gem that shined brightly and he will be deeply missed. Praying the Lord brings you all comfort and peace as you come to terms with your loss.

    Michael Gardner
    7 Jan 2015
    5:07pm

    I believe that we live eternally not just through a belief in religion or afterlife but also through our daily actions with family, friends, co-workers and even strangers. Mark was always kind and quick with a cheerful word when we spoke and I am better for having known and worked with him and I will make a point to pass that same kind and gentle spirit along and in that way some part of Mark will continue on by my actions. I can think of no better way to honor such a wonderful man. You truly have my deepest condolences for your loss.

    Steve Holden
    8 Jan 2015
    10:34am

    Mark – You were a true friend and great colleague. Your wit, intelligence and humility are sorely missed.
    You will be forever in our memories.
    Fannie Mae Credit Modeling and Analytics Team

    Quito Dinell
    8 Jan 2015
    4:06pm

    Mark always made you feel important and was one the nicest people I have ever met. He will truly be missed by me and anyone that knew him. God Bless

    Mary Raver
    9 Jan 2015
    6:33am

    Mark was a really nice person, that was a pleasure and privilege to work with. His expertise and dedication will be greatly missed. I will also miss his sense of humor and the funny stuff he would find in appraisals that he would always share with everyone.

    John Swingle
    9 Jan 2015
    9:32am

    I always enjoyed talking with Mark when we would see each other at work. He was always in great spirits, extremely knowledgeable and easy to talk to. I truly morn his passing.

    Shane Reynolds
    9 Jan 2015
    4:35pm

    I got to know Mark in the 5 years that I had came to work for Fannie Mae. When we first met my wife, who worked with Mark as well, introduced me as her husband. His response was, “That’s not what she calls you up here but nice to meet you”. I knew then and there he would be an ally I would always enjoy every day I would come to work. His sense of humor and quick wit is something that I will always treasure and will be sorely missed. Thoughts go to his family from my family. Thank You Mark for crossing my path!

    Banfield Family
    10 Jan 2015
    8:12am

    Stewart Family,
    Our hearts and prayers are with you as you mourn Mark’s passing and celebrate his life. We know you will miss him greatly and hope your fond memories of him keep your heart warm and bring a smile to your face.
    Blessings,
    Kirk,Julie,Parker,&Taryn

    Lisa Floyd
    10 Jan 2015
    7:09pm

    Mark’s memorial today was a wonderful tribute for a very KIND, gentle and sweet man! Our hearts are sadden by his absence.

    Rick Walker
    14 Jan 2015
    2:02pm

    I extend my prayers and condolences to the family. I had the privilege of working with Mark when he began his Fannie Mae career ten years ago. Mark led by example with his humble demeanor, quick wit, and humor. The last time I saw Mark, he asked to meet at the “Three Forks Café” in the Princeton building – anyone who has eaten at the Princeton Café will understand the humor. He will be missed.

    Kagan Coughlin
    15 Jan 2015
    9:42pm

    Mark was the first partner I had in my professional career after college. He was a kind, patient, intellectually inspiring mentor and friend. He is sorely missed.

    Margo Quesada Guerra
    18 May 2015
    12:34am

    My deepest sympathy to the Stewart and Regalado families. Martha, I send you the bigest hug you can imagine,and want you to know your family is and has alwsys been in my prayers. Love, Margo

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