Mark David Thorne died peacefully on February 8th, 2013 after a valiant 40 year battle with cancer. He died while in residence at Atlantic Shores Nursing and Rehab Facility in Palm Bay Florida. Mark was born in Dodge City, Kansas in November 17th, 1952. His Family moved to Colorado shortly thereafter living in several communities throughout the state. He graduated from Billy Mitchell High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1970 where he was a member of the schools golf and basketball teams. Mark loved and played virtually all sports and though he was rarely the most gifted athlete on the team he always displayed the most "heart". Following high school graduation Mark decided to attend Adams State Collage in Alamosa Colorado to earn a degree in Elementary Education. Mark always loved the energy and enthusiasm of young children and endeavored to be an elementary school teacher. During the fall of 1973, while Mark was a junior at Adams State College he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. His first operation was in November of 1972 and he was given approximately 4 months to live. 1973 Mark had 2 more operations for the brain tumor leaving him blind, paralyzed on his left side and mentally disabled.
Mark never complained about his disabilities, not once. He loved playing games of Spill and Spell, Yahtzee, word Yahtzee and Trivial Pursuits but most of all he enjoyed engaging with people. Mark was lovingly cared for by his mother Della for 30 years until her passing in 2002. He is survived by his brother Michael and sister in law Susan as well as 4 nephews; Andrew, Daniel, Nicholas and Jonathan. He will be greatly missed. Services will be private at a later date.