Mark “Bud” King was born August 18, 1933, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and passed away on October 30, 2018, in Bastrop, Texas. Mark graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering from Oklahoma A&M College in 1956 before commissioning into the United States Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. After completing active duty service, Mark proudly continued serving in the Army Reserves until he retired as a Colonel in 1986.
Mark began an illustrious career with the Tulsa District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1960. His early career involved work on large projects ranging from the construction of ICBM silos in Altus, Oklahoma, to the design of the Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam on the Arkansas River. In 1972, Mark drafted the Southwestern Division’s original Lake Shoreline Management plan that was subsequently adopted nationwide and is still used today. As a leader in his field, he served twelve years on the Natural Resources Research Program Committee, establishing policies that governed the Corps’ use and management of project lands. In 1990, Mark retired from Corps as the Chief of Recreation-Resources and Regulatory Branch, Construction-Operations Division. In a tribute to a career of great achievement, Mark was selected to the Gallery of Distinguished Employees at the Corps’ Southwestern Division Office in 2001.
Mark lived a life of integrity, loyalty, and humor. He was a forward-thinking person who always had a plan. He knew just which slot machine to play, how to get the most value out of a grocery coupon, and the right road to take you where you were going. He was proud of his children, loved his grandchildren, and adored his great-grandchildren. Mark was generous with his resources, opinions, and heart, constantly ensuring that his loved ones were taken care of. He was a provider to all and a devout husband to a wife he adored.
Mark is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Barbara; daughter, Sheri Wallace and her husband, Stewart; son, Mark B. King and his wife, Ann; and son, Mike King and his wife, J.J.; grandchildren, Marci Kincheloe and husband, Carl; Jeremy Wallace and wife, Katrina; Hunter Wallace and wife, Elizabeth; Kyle King; Jack King; and Hallie King; great-grandchildren, Wyatt Kincheloe, Ashlynn Kincheloe, Madison Wallace, Baileigh Wallace, and Morgan Wallace.
Visitation will be held at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013 on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel in Allen. Interment with Full Military Honors will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen.
Mr. King requested that his beloved family and friends enjoy a drink in honor of a full life and cherished memories.