Mark Wilson

Palmer resident Mark Wilson, 54, died Feb. 10, 2013, at Providence Alaska Medical Center.

Mark was blessed with a second chance of life in 2006 after surviving a double lung transplant due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In 2011, Mark was then diagnosed with MDS, which eventually led to leukemia. Despite his strength, Mark finally lost his battle with cancer.

Mark was born Oct. 21, 1958, in Corpus Christi, Texas. He married his high school sweetheart, Kathy Ann Trimble, on June 25, 1977. Mark worked for the Federal Aviation Administration in Flight Standards. Mark was an entrepreneur of multiple businesses that included ACME Radiator, now owned by his brother-in-law Tommy Trimble. He also owned and operated a Drop Zone with his wife Kathy teaching adventure-seeking souls to skydive in Chickasha, Okla.

Mark enjoyed flying, camping, fishing and his time with family and friends the most. He was a gentle soul whose character and spirit always brought a smile to everyone’s faces. Mark was the type of person who would give strangers the shirt off his back to protect them from the cold. He was a loving, caring son, husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend to many. He always had a kind word and a smile, and if you asked how he was, he was always doing well.

Surviving are his wife, Kathy; sons, Mark and Colby; father, Les; mother, Gail; sister, Karen Gutmaker; and grandchildren, Avery and Logan.

Preceding him in death were his sisters, Bobby Hutton and Janis Downing.

A celebration of life is from 2 to 6 p.m., Feb. 23 at 6841 Weswood Dr., Palmer. Please join the family in sharing stories and memories with friends and family. This event will not be formal; attire is casual. Mark would not want a mourning of his loss; rather, a celebration of his life.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mark’s name may be made online at transplanthouse.org.

Arrangements by the Cremation Society of Alaska/Mat-Su Valley. Words of comfort can be shared with Mark’s family at alaskacremation.com.