Mark Riley Pitts

Lifelong Wasilla resident Mark Riley Pitts, 17, died unexpectedly on Feb. 27, 2010, at his home in Wasilla.

A viewing and funeral were held March 4 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wasilla. Father Bill Fournier officiated. Graveside services were at Wasilla-Aurora Cemetery. Pallbearers were Douglas Theis, Burton Parker, Ricky Pitts, Steve Merkel, Spencer Fennell, Douglas Pitts, Bryan Larson and Sam Theis.

Mark was born Dec. 26, 1992, to Donald Richard Pitts Sr. and Anna Helen (Theis) in Palmer. He was a junior at Colony High School. Mark was raised and baptized Catholic. He volunteered as a DJ for dances for special needs people. Mark enjoyed Colony football, basketball, snowboarding, fishing, drift boating, camping, four-wheeling, working on his Jeep and building a homebuilt aircraft.

“Mark was a person who could make anybody smile in any situation. He was the first person to help when help was needed and he never left a social event without leaving a lasting impression. He loved football and basketball as well as every teammate he ever played with. Mark thought that a simple smile could make a difference in a person’s life and he would do anything to give you one no matter what. He loved his family and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He wore his heart on his sleeve and would never end a conversation without saying ‘I love you,’ to a family member,” wrote his family.

Mark was preceded in death by his grandparents, Don Pitts and Sam and Sharon Theis; mother, Anna Pitts; and brother, Walter Parker.

He is survived by his father, Donald R. “Rick” Pitts of Wasilla; grandmother, Lucille Pitts of Wasilla; sisters, Amber Parker of Wasilla, Katie Parker of Anchorage and Kelly Pace of Seaside, Ore.; brothers, Burton Parker of Portland, Ore., and Ricky Pitts of Fairbanks; uncles, Jerry Scott, Douglas Theis and Don Nordland all of Wasilla and Sam Theis of Kodiak; aunts, Janet Theis of Kodiak and Lynn Nordland of Wasilla; niece, Alyssa Jensen of Wasilla; nephews, Jackson and Dylan Pace both of Seaside, Ore.; cousins, Hollie Lund, Stefani Nordland, Brynn Theis, Sam Theis and Natalie Nordland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Colony High School Football Boosters, Anna Pitts Memorial Scholarship, P.O. Box 870469, Wasilla, 99687 www.knightboosters.com.

Arrangements were by Valley Funeral Home.