|
Mark Edward Burget of Norman died December 31, 2022, at the age of 68. Mark was born February 11, 1954, in Wiesbaden, Germany, the only child of Carl Edward Burget and Mary Sue Burget. He spent the early part of his childhood in Madison, Wisconsin before moving to Amarillo, Texas. He graduated from Tascosa High School in 1972, where he played high school football. Beginning in the fall of 1972, Mark attended the University of Oklahoma, where he walked onto the football team. While attending OU, Mark met Elaine Pasque of Thousand Oaks, California. They were married on May 17, 1975 and enjoyed 47 years of marriage. During college, both Mark and Elaine were active in Young Life—a ministry focused on outreach to high school students—at Putnam City Original. Eventually, in 1985, they started Young Life in Norman, in which they remained active for the rest of Mark’s life.
In 1975, Mark graduated from OU, receiving his bachelor’s degree in accounting. He then received his CPA certification in 1976 while simultaneously attending the University of Oklahoma College of Law. Mark then graduated from law school and earned his J.D. in 1979. Thereafter, in 1982, he obtained his LL.M. in taxation from New York University. Following law school, Mark joined the law firm, McAfee & Taft, where he diligently served his clients across an array of practice areas for over 22 years. In 1998, he was named the Firm’s first-ever Managing Director, a role in which he served until 2001. It was at this point that Mark’s friend, Ken Mendenhall, asked him to join Search Ministries. After much prayer and deliberation, Mark left the practice of law and chose to make his love and passion for ministry his full-time vocation. In 2001, he joined Search Ministries where he faithfully served for the last 21 years of his life. Mark’s ministry was evidenced by his thoughtfulness and intentionality, as he shared the gospel by establishing meaningful relationships with those whom he interacted, whether that be during one of his many trips to Israel, a Bible study or open forum, or even during an interaction over a cup of coffee or a meal. In 2018, Mark was asked to serve as Governor Kevin Stitt’s General Counsel and was honored to serve both the state and the Governor until he transitioned back to Search Ministries full-time in 2021.
Mark Edward Burget of Norman died December 31, 2022, at the age of 68. Mark was born February 11, 1954, in Wiesbaden, Germany, the only child of Carl Edward Burget and Mary Sue Burget. He spent the early part of his childhood in Madison, Wisconsin before moving to Amarillo, Texas. He graduated from Tascosa High School in 1972, where he played high school football. Beginning in the fall of 1972, Mark attended the University of Oklahoma, where he walked onto the football team. While attending OU, Mark met Elaine Pasque of Thousand Oaks, California. They were married on May 17, 1975 and enjoyed 47 years of marriage. During college, both Mark and Elaine were active in Young Life—a ministry focused on outreach to high school students—at Putnam City Original. Eventually, in 1985, they started Young Life in Norman, in which they remained active for the rest of Mark’s life.
In 1975, Mark graduated from OU, receiving his bachelor’s degree in accounting. He then received his CPA certification in 1976 while simultaneously attending the University of Oklahoma College of Law. Mark then graduated from law school and earned his J.D. in 1979. Thereafter, in 1982, he obtained his LL.M. in taxation from New York University. Following law school, Mark joined the law firm, McAfee & Taft, where he diligently served his clients across an array of practice areas for over 22 years. In 1998, he was named the Firm’s first-ever Managing Director, a role in which he served until 2001. It was at this point that Mark’s friend, Ken Mendenhall, asked him to join Search Ministries. After much prayer and deliberation, Mark left the practice of law and chose to make his love and passion for ministry his full-time vocation. In 2001, he joined Search Ministries where he faithfully served for the last 21 years of his life. Mark’s ministry was evidenced by his thoughtfulness and intentionality, as he shared the gospel by establishing meaningful relationships with those whom he interacted, whether that be during one of his many trips to Israel, a Bible study or open forum, or even during an interaction over a cup of coffee or a meal. In 2018, Mark was asked to serve as Governor Kevin Stitt’s General Counsel and was honored to serve both the state and the Governor until he transitioned back to Search Ministries full-time in 2021.
Mark loved Jesus Christ with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength, and he loved his wife, children, and grandchildren more than life itself. Elaine was his partner in life and ministry for over 47 years. After years of being told they were unable to have children, they counted their five sons as their greatest gifts. To his sons, he was the best coach, counselor, mentor, and most importantly, spiritual father a son could have. As Poppie, he loved his grandchildren with his gentle disposition and tender spirit, never leaving any doubt he was their biggest fan in all they did.
Mark is survived by his wife, Elaine, his five sons and daughters-in-law, Bradley and Ashley, Brian and Taylor, Blake and Kristen, David and Shannon, and Matthew and Makenzi, and his fourteen grandchildren, Jane, Lottie, Bennett, Ford, Ellie, Quinn, Hallie, Evan, Piper, Wells, Boyd, Davey, Lucy, and another baby girl due in March. He is preceded in death by his parents. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Young Life of South Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 1515, Norman, Oklahoma 73070, or Search Ministries Oklahoma City, P.O. Box 156029, Fort Worth, Texas 76161-5029. A public viewing will be held at Wildwood Community Church, 1501 24th Avenue NE, Norman, Oklahoma 73071, on Sunday, January 8, 2023, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Memorial Services will be held at Crossings Community Church, 14600 N. Portland Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73134, on Monday, January 9, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., and will be available online at https://vimeo.com/event/2759160/b90a8b60a1.
To Mark’s friends, he would want you to know “since the day he heard about you, he never stopped praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Thank you to the most wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend for walking “in a manner worthy of the Lord, that pleased Him in all respects, and bore fruit in every good work, increasing in the knowledge of God.”
City Basketball Champs 1969 Bonham Junior High:
Doug Gwin, Mark Burget, Chuck Ryan, Bill Eubank, Bucky Sams
It was more than just a handshake for these longtime friends: Mark Burget, Stevie Crawford and Steve Cairns ~ 50th Reunion Tascosa High School, Sept. 3, 2022 ~
This is a photo Mark posted on his profile page for the website.
|
Gus Schneiderheinz
Always a nice guy and very accomplished in his career. A big loss to all of us.
Bill Eubank
My first reaction to Mark’s passing was to break down and cry. Like many of the class of 72 before him, my first thought was along the lines of he was too young to die. Then it dawned on me some day only one of us will be left to post the next-to-last obituary. But there will be no one left in the class of 72 to read it save that one. Now, through his family's memories, Mark ministers to the Class of 72 as he did to so many during his lifetime. He shows us a life striving for the highest ideals. Living by God’s principles as laid out in His Word, the Bible. Multiplying that with his progeny. Making the world a better place. I thank him for that.
On one hand, my heart goes out to Elaine, their 5 sons and 14 grandchildren. On the other hand, you were all blessed for 50 or so years to have this man in your life. I and many others were blessed for a few short years to have him as a friend and teammate.
That picture of 5 boys trying to look tough I also have in a box in a closet under a staircase. I feel a sense of honor that 54 years later Mark and his family chose to share our moment in time. That moment means even more to me now. And it brought back a lot of middle school memories (1968 and 1969). Some I will share here.
Being part of a team, especially if you win a championship, creates a strong bond between teammates. Mark, our captain, carried us to victory with his strength and determination at the post position. A leader we all looked up to. But most of all, a wonderful friend. Honestly, the only one of us with a lick of sense. He never ridiculed or degraded others as was the trend in those days. He always exuded a warm, loving and accepting aura. A pleasure to be around. As we saw, he carried all the aforementioned qualities his whole life.
Doug Gwin (on the far left) lived one street over from me. A good ball handler, he helped quarterback the team. Our crew played basketball on his driveway for hours (his driveway was about the size of a half-court). Horse was a popular game.
Mark’s home was the best for sleepovers and football. During the wee hours of the night our crew of 4 or 5, after listening to Shades of Deep Purple and Paul Revere and the Raiders, crawled out a window to roam the neighborhood alleyways and savor those pleasant Amarillo nights. Tree branches hanging over backyard fences offered plumbs and peaches during the season. Our quite conversations, priceless if not profound, were mostly about girls, sports and music. The atmosphere was carefree with lots of laughter. Some of my fondest memories. Mark’s front yard was our football field because it had no trees. The field expanded to include his neighbors’ yards on each side whose driveways were the end zones. Flowerbeds and sidewalks were the sideline out of bounds. Some days it was cold enough to freeze spit on the cement. We played rough and tumble for hours, usually 3 to 4 on each team, with an occasional scuffle as a byproduct. Skinned knees and elbows were common red badges. Grass-stained blue jeans were our mothers' reward. Believe it or not, nary did a neighbor complain. I suspect they rather took a seat at a window and enjoyed the show.
Chuck Ryan (holding the trophy), who always kept us laughing, was a force to be reckoned with. A great athlete, Chuck went on to play football (defensive end) at SMU. One of our claims to fame.
Bucky Sams ( on the far right) was another great athlete and the anchor of our team. He went on to play football (running back) at Texas A&M. Another claim to fame.
Bobby Hamblin (not pictured), the team's "lady's man", fought with me every practice to decide who won the 5th starting position and who came off the bench as the "sixth man". Usually a standoff, he and I alternated positions. I was in the picture and not him because he probably skipped practice that day. With a girl. He and I went on to obscurity.
Jeanne Ross (Sievers)
Beautiful memories and sweet times, Bill. Brought back so many precious times of our youth . What a beautiful tribute to such a gentle, soft spoken but powerful Christian man... Thank you for that. Mark and I are in Norman for his services. It was so dear to meet his 5 sons...his legacy. Amazing, very successful young men and their beautiful families. I suffer from the old adage..."I wish I could have spent more time with him". It seems this event will be happening more and more as we "gracefully grow older". Mark and I were going to Israel with him and his tour group in June. Can't seem to make myself go anymore since Mark will not be there. Elaine was as beautiful as ever. Everyone was devastated and shocked, as you can imagine. He was such an exemplary example of what a servant of God should be. He just had an aura about him that made you want to be a better person. I will miss my friend.
"Well done, Good and faithful servant"....