James Mark Thirlwell MBA ’69 was born in 1940 in Louisville, KY, but spent most of his life in Florida. He was the son of a Baptist preacher, and lived in various places; such as, St. Augustine, Brooksville and Jacksonville. His last 38 years were in Merritt Island. Mark graduated from high school in Jacksonville and received his Bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Florida, where he developed his passion for the Gators. He spent four years in the Navy as an officer, flight navigator and in tactical Seal training. He received his MBA from the University of Santa Clara in California before returning to Jacksonville. In 1972, while on Naval Reserve duty in Virginia, he met Catherine Jean DuVal, and they married on March 3, 1973. Mark and Cathy moved to Merritt Island in September 1974. They were longtime members of Georgianna United Methodist Church and returned to Merritt Island Presbyterian Church in 2008. They both worked at Patrick Air Force Base where Mark worked with a few contractors before spending the last several years with the Federal government as a financial analyst. He retired in 2002. The light of Mark’s life was the birth of two children: Diana, who lives in Tallahassee with her husband, John Lane, and two beautiful children: Wyatt (4) and Stella (10 mos.); and David, who lives in Coconut Creek with his wife, Staci, and son, James (1 +). Mark was a kind-hearted, intelligent, honest and hard-working person who approached life with tremendous enthusiasm and integrity. He loved nature, travelling, politics, watching sunsets in his yard on the Indian River, and Banjo, his dog. One of his favorite things was reminiscing with his buddies telling and retelling stories of their many adventures: working at Yellowstone National Park as a short-order cook, testing scuba gear in a baptismal pool… He and Cathy, usually along with the kids, shared wonderful trips to England, France, Italy, Germany, Costa Rica, Hawaii and Seychelles. Mark was an excellent carpenter. He enjoyed building furniture for his family and neighbors, and built their house on Two Oaks Boulevard with little outside help. He often dreamed up inventions and, in fact, made an effort to get a patent on a solar-powered energy condenser. He created, packaged and distributed a dry rub for meat, called 12 Gauge, before the mainstream versions became available on supermarket shelves. Vibrant and extremely healthy, this rapid illness has shocked us all! Less than a month after the onset of what would be the final stages of this illness, and only days following a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, Mark made the choice to return to his beloved home. Here, surrounded by the love of his family; his dog, Banjo; the prayers of his many friends and loved ones; and the beautiful river views, Mark drifted peacefully to heaven early in the morning of January 15th. He was undoubtedly welcomed with open arms by our heavenly Father, who surely has some greater purpose in mind. Perhaps He’s put him to work– he’d love nothing more! Mark was an exceptional man. His legacy will live on in his family, friends and all those whose lives he touched, and whose lives his works continue to touch. He will be greatly missed. "What is morality, she asked. Judgement to distinguish right and wrong, vision to see the truth, and courage to act upon it, dedication to that which is good, integrity to stand by the good at any price." — Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged