Mark was born in Minnesota in 1953, grew up in Shoreline and graduated from Shoreline High School. He was an avid high school basketball player and went on to play college basketball at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Wash. He majored in physical education and earned his master’s degree in education.
He received his first teaching position at Woodway High School in Edmonds, Wash., where he also coached girls soccer. He then taught at Hermiston High School where he was the head girls basketball coach and helped coach football and baseball.
His teaching and coaching career continued at The Dalles High where he coached basketball, football and baseball. He later moved back to the Bellingham, Wash., area to be the physical education teacher at Mount Baker Senior High School for 17 years. While a teacher there, he was the head boys basketball coach for a few years and also helped coach football and baseball.
During his teaching career at Mount Baker Senior High School, he served as the teachers union president for 15 years and also worked at the Fourth Corner Uniserve office in Bellingham.
He had such a passion not only for his students and their health but for coaching. No one wanted those players to reach their full potential more than him. He also worked for the Iowa Education Association before his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) in February 2013. His courageous, hopeful and positive attitude he kept despite his illness was inspiring to all those around him. He also had a competitive spirit and a passion for horses, sports and family.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Maryann; his two children, Tyler and Rochelle; brothers, Jim Murray (wife Josie), and David Murray (wife Pam); sisters, Barb Farden and Sally Sneden (husband Tom); his mother, Marion Murray; and 10 nieces and nephews.
His outgoing personality and ability to strike up a conversation with anyone will be greatly missed by all. He impacted the lives of many people around the Pacific Northwest.
His life was celebrated on June 29 at Calvin Presbyterian Church in Shoreline, Wash.
Please visit the Cook Family Funeral Home website to sign the guest book.
