Mark Carter

Mark Timothy Carter, age 56, passed away on October 30, 2024, at his home in Lakeside, Arizona, following a four-month battle against cancer. He was born on June 21, 1968, in Davenport, Iowa, to Timothy Lyle Carter and Mary Ann (Buskirk) Carter. Mark was Tim's only child and the firstborn of Mary Ann's four children.

When Mark was four months old, his parents separated and eventually divorced. Mark met his mother and two of his half-siblings later in life, but he never knew them well. Ultimately, Mark was raised by his loving paternal grandparents, Lyle and Helen Carter, although his father continued to be a strong presence in his life. He had a carefree childhood in Davenport, running free in the hills of his neighborhood and fishing in the Mississippi River with his dad and grandpa. Fishing became Mark's lifelong love. In 1979, Mark's grandparents moved to Mesa, Arizona. Initially, Mark stayed in Iowa with his dad and stepmom, Mary. However, in 1980, at age 12, he followed his grandparents to Arizona, where he attended junior high and high school. Mark graduated in 1987 from Westwood High School in Mesa, Arizona, receiving a vocational diploma with an emphasis in auto mechanics.

Mark began working during his teenage years, starting as a dishwasher at Native New Yorker and a tree trimmer for Pretty Palms. Throughout his life he held a wide variety of jobs, never really settling on one career. Among other jobs, he was a prep cook at a nursing home for three years, a groundskeeper at Pinetop-Lakes Country Club for six years, and a stocker at Walmart for three years. In the end, Mark came full circle, working as a dishwasher at Denny's in Show Low for more than nine years, where he found a "second family" he adored.

It was in his sophomore year of high school, when he was 16, that Mark met 30-year-old Mary Butler, a college student who worked as an instructional assistant in some of his classes. By his senior year, Mark was seriously flirting with her at every opportunity. After graduation, Mary took Mark and another student out to celebrate. The rest is history. After dating for a year and a half, Mark and Mary were married on June 2, 1989.

For their first year of marriage the Carters lived in Mesa, where Mark worked in masonry and Mary completed her bachelor's degree, graduating from Arizona State University. Their first child, Sarah, was born that year. With Mary's new teaching certificate in hand, the Carter family relocated to Pinetop-Lakeside in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona in July 1990. Mary taught at the local high school and their family grew, with Jacob born in 1991 and Dylan in 1997.

The Carters bought a modest home in Lakeside in 1993, where they raised their family.

Mark struggled with addictions since late childhood, which took a toll on his relationships. In 2006, after three children and seventeen years of marriage, he and Mary divorced and Mark moved back to Mesa. He followed a rocky road over the following eight years, including serving three years in prison. By 2012, though, he'd made the decision that this was not the life he wanted. At the time of his death, he had been clean and sober almost thirteen years. His family is so grateful for that decision. In April 2015, Mark moved back to Lakeside and spent the rest of his life reconnecting with his family, whom he loved dearly. He felt great pride in his children and their accomplishments. On June 1, 2022, Mark and Mary remarried...full circle.

Mark was preceded in death by his father, Tim Carter; his stepmom, Mary Elizabeth Carter; his grandparents, Lyle and Helen Carter; and his uncle, Michael Carter.

Mark is survived by his wife, Mary Carter, of Lakeside, Arizona; his daughter, Sarah (Christopher) Kinsky, of Lakeside, Arizona; his sons, Jacob Carter of Mesa, Arizona, and Dylan (Jake) Carter of Show Low, Arizona; his aunt, Wilma Carter, of Casa Grande, Arizona; and his cousins Melissa and Maryhelen.

A memorial and luncheon will be held on Wednesday, November 6, at 10:00 a.m. in the LDS church located at 1520 Church Lane in Lakeside, Arizona.

Mark's family wishes to express their gratitude to the many people who have reached out to them in so many ways during this difficult time. You are loved and appreciated!