Mark Allen Anderson was born in Warroad, MN and passed away December 14, 2022 in McKinney, TX. The family moved to Thermopolis, Wyoming where Mark attended elementary and high school. He graduated with a BA in English Literature and a coaching endorsement from the University of Wyoming. During his high school and college years Mark developed a deep love of Biblical history and spent a summer participating in an archaeological dig in Ekron, an ancient Philistine city in Israel. He also bought his first baseball card during high school and was soon all-in on a hobby that would define his life, including having his own card shop - The Card Cartel - during summer breaks.
Upon graduation from college he taught high school English for one year. He quickly realized this was not his passion and moved to Cottonwood, Arizona. There he worked as a sports writer and photographer for the Verde Valley Newspaper. While there he received an offer from Beckett Media in Dallas, TX as a senior card grader. Later he was promoted to the head of grading. Mark always said he didn't have a job, he just got paid to do what he loved. Mark became well known throughout the entire sports card collection world. At any show you attend today they will know him. Mark also attended Dallas Theological Seminary, and earned a graduate degree in Biblical Studies.
He became highly skilled in many areas of the collecting world - cards, stamps, autographed items, CD's historical books, etc., and his home was like a museum. Mark loved to learn and taught himself how to repair old pinball machines and arcade games as well as play the guitar.
In his early thirties he was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis. Treatment included a chemo drug which was effective, but also caused brain cancer. Extensive chemo resulted in cancer remission, but a multitude of other physical issues. He battled COVID, pneumonia multiple times, and severe pain for 20 years. He always had a great attitude no matter how many surgeries or challenges. He always said that when the Lord was ready for him he was also ready. While he was on the earth he lived his life in full-on for his wonderful daughter and his collection of misfit cats.
He leaves his parents, sister Debra Karcher (Brian), brother Jerry (Laura), five nieces Kaitlyn and Allison Terrey of Prescott, AZ and Sofia, Bella, and Lilly Anderson of Denver, and his daughter Amelia of Rockwall, TX. Mark was blessed with a "Texas mom" Diane Bickston and her son Barry. For over 40 years Mark was best friends with Mike from Thermopolis, WY and Dan from Casper, WY. He is preceded in death by the fourth member of that group Travis of Gillette, WY.
Condolences may be sent to his parents at 3180 Touchmark Blvd Unit #213, Prescott, AZ 86301.