Mark Arthur Lawrence was born on November 26 1956 in Salem, Oregon to Darrel and Jeanette Lawrence. He was 59 years old. He passed away on October 7, 2016 at his home in Portland.

Mark’s life was interesting and full of the love of his family. At age 6 Mark had open heart surgery by Albert Starr, M.D., a pioneer cardiovascular surgeon who co-invented and successfully implanted the world’s first artificial heart valve.

He was a graduate of Salem High School and attended college and was a painter by trade. Mark painted over a million square feet of walls in his career. On Mark’s 30th birthday he married the love of his life Colleen (Mahowald) Lawrence.

Mark was blessed with a large family and is survived by his wife Colleen. He is also survived by his daughter Becky Nelson, son in law Mike Nelson and their children Tyler, Isaac and Taryn Nelson. Daughter Jodi Taylor, son in law Jason Taylor and their children; Jade, Jena and Jacy Ostrander; Jade, Josie and Payton Taylor and Mark’s great grandson Camden Taylor. Son Darrel Lawrence and his children; Alexis Temple, Timmothy, Christopher and Nicolas Lawrence. Daughter Nicole Peterson and son in law Geoff Peterson and their children; Benjamin, Ashley and Bryan Peterson. Mark’s mother Jeanette Hamilton of Salem, Oregon and his brother John Hamilton and sister in law Susie of Oregon City, Oregon. Brothers Jeff Lawrence and his wife Chris of Stayton, Oregon and Dave Hamilton of Lake Oswego, Oregon. Mark has numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be a private celebration of life service. Mark was a family man who was loved and will be missed by many.