Mark McLaughlin Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Our beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend, Anthony Mark McLaughlin, age 42, passed away peacefully from complications due to a rare form of cancer, on April 11, 2017 at his home in Katy, Texas. He fought valiantly, with the remarkable optimism, courage, and good humor that were trademarks of his personality. Mark was born on August 9, 1974 in Pocatello, Idaho to Anthony Francis “Tony” McLaughlin and Donnette Berrey “Dawn” McLaughlin. He was a fun-loving, curious boy who spent countless hours of his happy childhood riding his big wheel alongside his beloved big sister, Melissa, riding her roller skates through the streets near their home. He was very athletic and tried just about every sport imaginable, usually with his dad as the team coach. It was then he developed his lifelong passion for playing golf. He played on the varsity golf team at Highland High School, in Pocatello, faithfully rising early in the morning to practice for hours. He also had a love for basketball. Mark also earned his Eagle Scout award and served as President of the Highland High Seminary Council. In 1993, Mark graduated with high honors from Highland High School in Pocatello, Idaho. Firmly committed to his faith in God and his church, he served a two-year Spanish-speaking mission for the LDS Church in Houston, Texas from 1994-1996. He truly loved the people he served and the Spanish language. After his mission service, Mark attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where he met the love of his life, a kind and beautiful fellow student, Amy Elisabeth Ward. On August 3, 1999, he married Amy in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Their loving, devoted marriage was blessed with five wonderful children, Emily, Abigail, Jane, William, and James. Mark graduated from Brigham Young University in 2000 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Biology and a minor in Business. After graduation, they moved to Boston where they lived for five years. In 2006, they moved to Charlottesville, Virginia for Mark to attend the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, where he wrote for the Darden newspaper, was a member of the UVA Student Advisory Board, and received the prestigious Frank E. Genovese Fellowship. Even more important to him, were the enduring life-long friends he made while he was a student there. He graduated with an MBA in 2008. Mark soon accepted a position as a private banker with JPMorgan Chase in Houston and moved his growing family to Katy, Texas. He quickly became a successful financial advisor due to his genuine care and concern for his colleagues, clients, and their families. He often viewed them as his extended family. In 2014, Mark was appointed Vice President in Private Wealth Management with Goldman Sachs. He loved his work with the same enthusiasm that he approached other areas of his life. He was smart, driven, and a true friend to everyone. Mark treasured his faith and his membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served his congregations faithfully in many leadership roles throughout the years. Especially meaningful to him was his time spent with the youth of the church. Mark was an exceptional husband and father. His family was his greatest accomplishment. He was a kind, supportive leader in his home, where everything he did in life focused on loving, and supporting his wife and children. Nearly every day, Mark would tell Amy with all sincerity, “I just love our family. We have the best kids and the best family!” All of the children became so excited when he came home from work each night. He knew the way to encourage each child in a manner that would lift them up. Mark enjoyed special individual outings with each of his children and was very proud of who they were becoming and their many accomplishments. Mark had a contagious zest for life and believed in living a joyful, love-filled life. He was the ultimate optimist and 100% genuine. He had a spring in his step; he never complained or dwelled on how difficult things were. He loved people and always wanted to learn more about others he met. He often said he loved a room of strangers and would make it a goal to talk to everyone and get to know their names. He is survived by his wife, Amy Ward McLaughlin of Katy, Texas; his beloved children, Emily McLaughlin, Abigail “Abby” McLaughlin, Jane McLaughlin, William “Will” McLaughlin, and James McLaughlin all of Katy, Texas; his parents, Tony and Dawn McLaughlin of Pocatello, Idaho; and his sister and brother-in-law, Melissa and Mark Craner of Katy, Texas. He is also survived by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Brent and Esther Jane Ward of Oakland, California; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jennifer and Matt Oldroyd of Southlake, Texas, David and Jenna Ward of Salt Lake City, Utah, Matthew and Sara Ward of Orem, Utah, Emily and Isaac Hawkins of Spokane, Washington, Katie Ward of Heber, Utah, and Allison Ward of Salt Lake City, Utah; as well as many other loving family members and numerous friends. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 17, 2017 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1603 Norwalk Drive, Katy, Texas. They will also receive friends from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints prior to funeral services at 12:00 noon with Bishop Mark Miner officiating. The family will also receive friends from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Friday, April 21 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2215 E. Roosevelt Avenue Salt Lake City, Utah. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the McLaughlin Children’s Trust c/o Chris Wallace, 1000 Louisiana, Suite 550, Houston, Texas 77002 or the Mark McLaughlin Memorial Fund at Gofundme.com To express condolences, please visit www.SchmidtFuneralHome.net. Funeral services held under the direction of Schmidt Funeral Home 1344 W. Grand Parkway South ~ Katy, Texas 77494 ~ (281) 391-2424

Mark McLaughlin

August 9, 1974 - April 11, 2017