Mark Daniel La Cour

Mark Daniel La Cour

64

Obituary and Detailed Life Sketch

Fundraiser

September 8, 1961 - November 13, 2025

Zoom Link for Memorial

Meeting ID: 863 794 2353

Passcode: colton1

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Obituary

 With eyes affixed on Eternal Life and feet solidly planted on the covenant path, Mark Daniel La Cour ¹ peacefully transitioned to Act 3 in the Great Drama of Life on November 13, 2025, from St. Bernadine Medical Center in San Bernardino, California, due to multiple complications from congestive heart failure, kidney failure, clots in his arms, collapsing arteries, and a massive stroke, disabling his speech and use of his entire right side of his body. He couldn’t eat either. In the end, he used what was left of his body to convey his love; winking, puckering his lips, wagging his left foot, and using his left hand to squeeze, hug, and embrace as best he could. He was trapped in his body. Now he’s free.

 A tender-hearted giant toppled by multiple hits, like Gulliver’s Travels, his physical suffering has finally ceased. The local heavens appropriately wept over San Bernardino for over a week, mirroring the falling tears of his loved ones mourning his loss. Even with the knowledge of the great gospel plan of happiness, peace, and salvation, he and his mighty hugs will surely be missed.

 He lived greatly with a zest and passion for life that drew people into his magnetic embrace wherever he went. If he teased you, he loved you. He fought and died facing in the Lord’s direction — repented, redeemed, and rejoicing. Blessed be the name of the most high God who has the power to overcome death in His infinite love and mercy because of His righteousness!

 Mark felt His glorious embrace on several occasions, awashed in the warmth of His forgiveness and love as he strove to overcome many vicissitudes of mortality, which he did or strived valiantly to do. One experience not too long ago, Mark said he had to pull over from driving and weep for the intense love he felt. Conquering his struggles with the atonement resulted in a precious letter received in the mail from the First Presidency, finally being able to be sealed for time and eternity after multiple attempts, and 13-and-a-half years, to his sweetheart, Dianne, in the Redlands Temple one year ago, almost to the day, November 23, 2024. They were first married on May 21, 2011 in Walnut, California. He ran as fast and as far as he could. His victorious spirit will forever be magnificent.

Immediate Family

 He was preceded in death by his father the very same week five years prior on October 17, 2020, and is survived by his beloved wife, 58; mother, 90, both his sisters, now 70 and 68, in Albuquerque, respectively. Also left to cherish his memory are his three children; Nicklaus Ladd, 46, in Houston, TX; Cydnie Nicole, 39, in Grand Junction, CO; and Mollie Ann, 35, in Dallas, TX, all three honorary pallbearers.

Extended Family

 On Mark’s side of the family, his nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews overflowing will longingly remember Uncle Mark.

 On his wife’s side, mother and father in-laws, Jerianne and Eugene Hanks (his Texas Roadhouse buddy); Brother and Sister in laws — Taylor and Cheryl Bladh, Keith Hanks, Dennis and Yunme Hanks, (his Five Crowns arch nemesis), Tom and Robyn, Jenny and Brad Tucker, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews galore will cling to their precious memories of Markie Mark giving them lots of hugs and some even got driving lessons! The smallest of them all will miss his Hershey’s chocolate kisses contraband.

Friends

 Godmother, work colleagues, fellow church congregants, fellow missionaries, Priesthood Quorum brethren, students, teachers, neighbors — all will miss him and his loving teases greatly. The little ones at church will miss his Extra gum handouts, pocket Jesuses, and Book of Mormon pins. Brother La Cour always had a hug for them, along with a little surprise.

 A memorial will be held on December 27, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Colton 1st Ward; 250 E Laurel St, Colton, CA 92324.

Fundraiser

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Detailed Life Sketch

Birth

Born in Albuquerque to Ora Mae Roque and Manuel La Cour ², both age 25, on September 8, 1961; he completed their family as the baby and only boy forever, with two older sisters; Linda Rachael, 6, and Mary Magdalena, age 4. He was a true native New Mexico son, and as such, his loyalty to Hatch green chili remained in force to the end.

Childhood

 Mark spoke of his childhood with mostly fond memories of dancing while cleaning with his mom, cruising the streets with his older sister and protector, Linda Rae, and ducking the hits and kicks from his other sister, Mary, who he constantly marveled at how fast she ran and jumped hurdles in high school. He also had a horse.

Teen Years

 Mark’s teen years were encapsulated with good-time forever status of being the only child at home, getting a crisp $20 bill on the counter every morning, a $50 bill on Fridays from Mom, playing football at Bloomfield High, Class of 1980, in Farmington, New Mexico, singing loudly with the team on the bus, girls, being voted “Biggest Flirt,” dancing, fighting, and planning a big dance while on the Student Council. In Mark’s own words from an unpublished autobiographical paper titled, “My Life: Warts and All” (2013) —

I had a great childhood. My mom and dad were very good to me. I had all the blessings that a kid could ask for. I had a car, I was able to water ski all summer, play sports in school; football, basketball, and track. You could say I was a little spoiled, but I was a good kid. I was never in real trouble, and I was always obedient to my parents so therefore, the Lord blessed me.

Faith

 Continuing, he explained, Even as a young boy I always loved church. I remember riding my bike to church; many people have asked me why, and all I can say in response is… Because that is where God wanted me… I loved church, so I went every week without fail and I was blessed for it. La Cour (2013).

His desire for immersive devotion to the Lord eventually brought him to the waters of baptism in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 25 on May 30, 1987. He received his temple endowment a little after a year later on June 25, 1988 at age 26 in the Salt Lake Temple. He also received his Patriarchal Blessing that year on April 24, 1988 at age 26 by Patriarch W Brent Christensen ³, in Farmington, New Mexico, which he read side-by-side with his wife (Dianne’s) nearly every Fast Sunday, the first Sunday of the month, faithfully, the last few years together.

 He received the Aaronic Priesthood in Farmington, New Mexico as an Elder by Donald Lee Mecham and later was ordained a High Priest in 1996 by Gary King in Salt Lake City, UT. He honored both of his Priesthood Lines of Authority, Aaronic and Melchizidek, both leading back to Peter, James, and John, and ultimately Jesus Christ.

 Mark was dedicated to learning more and more about his faith and about Church History. He was often studying all the available scriptures; The Old Testament, The New Testament, Doctrine & Covenants, and especially The Book of Mormon. He also loved to watch “Music & the Spoken Word,” every Sunday and “Come, Follow Up” on BYU TV, listened and re-listened to the most recent talks from General Conference, especially from the living prophet and his 12 living apostles. He visited almost all of the Church Historical Sites, and was planning on visiting more. He had unfinished business.

Dedicated Service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

 Mark delighted in his service in God’s kingdom which consisted more recently of being formally called as a ward missionary, ever an enthusiastic disciple of Christ.

Ward Missionary: (from July 2024) Colton 1st Ward, Colton, California

Primary Teacher to the smallest of the small, the children once called “Sunbeams”, (July 2022-July 2024) Colton 1st Ward, Colton, California

Bishopric 2nd Counselor to Bishop Dale Stoa (January 2015-April 2016) Colton 1st Ward; Colton, California

Bishopric Counselor to Bishop Victor Armas (2013) in the Oleander Ward; Fontana, California

Primary Inservice Leader (2009-2011) Redondo 1st Ward; Palos Verdes, California

High Councilor (2000-2005) 

 Per a conversation, Mark bore his testimony to the High Council in 2001, including this, “I’ve been a member for 14 years…moved all the way from the 12th chair to 1st chair.”

 Another highlight, aside from speaking all around the stake to all the wards, which he loved, was being interviewed by then Elder Ronald A Rasband in the process of selecting a new stake president. (Elder Rasband is currently one of the 12 apostles.)

Veil Worker: While working at the veil in the Salt Lake Temple, he regularly met prophets and apostles and enjoyed learning from and conversing with them.

Bishopric 1st Counselor to Bishop Bill Bolton (1998-2000), Utah

Bishopric Counselor to Bishop Eugene Halford, Utah, 2nd, then 1st Counselor (1996-1998)

Elders Quorum President (1989) 3rd Ward; Farmington, New Mexico

Blazers Teacher (Boys Age 10-11); Farmington, New Mexico

Elders Quorum Secretary (1987); Farmington, New Mexico

Employment

Swift Transportation (March 2017-April 2023) —

 Mark logged over two million miles traversing the United States in a Swift Transportation big rig, both long-haul for such dedicated accounts as Hershey’s, Kraft, and Dole, and later, day cab. He earned the quarterly safety bonuses. He also advanced to a mentorship position, which involved 200 hours 24/7, for which he earned a Certificate in Mentor Leadership in February of 2018 at age 56. Justin, one of his mentees, shared that he was homeless and that Mark invited him to sleep in the cab, and brought him a breakfast burrito every morning.

 Some of his fondest memories are from when he was partnered with Tim Gullum, his true brother from another mother. The stories he would tell! They researched landmarks, and noted places of distinction of where they were and learned American history as a bonus.

Hampton Inn - Night Manager (2015-2016) — Moreno Valley, California

 He met some interesting people in this job. One night he got robbed. He was so mad.

Forest Lawn - Family Services Director (2014) — Covina Hills, California

Caring Funeral Services

 Douglass & Zook (September 2011-September 2013) Monrovia, California

 Of Mark, Tim Lambert, supervisor, said in a letter:

 I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with Mark, and came to know him as a truly valuable asset to absolutely any team. He is honest, dependable, and incredibly hard-working. The families he assisted were always pleased and very thankful and had such good things to say about him. Along with his talent of being very personable, Mark has always been an absolute joy to work with. He is a true team player, and always manages to foster positive discussions and bring the best out of other employees.

A.M. Gamby (2009-September 2011) Lomita, California

 A Surprise Graveside Encounter

 One day, at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes, on July 2, 2010, serving in his capacity as funeral director at a graveside service, he met his future wife, Dianne Hanks, whose aunt, Jeanne Thomsen Hanks ⁴, he helped to bury that day. The circumstances are too miraculous to the minute to have facilitated their meeting. Mark thought her aunt was the great matchmaker that put them together within inches so that they couldn’t miss each other. There isn’t really a better explanation.

Ingold Funeral Home (2006-2009)

 Mark was honored with not only the Highest Team Sales Award, but the Southbay Award for #1 Mortuary. As well, he earned the bonus for High Sales at the Annual Recognition Gala. He also played Santa at the annual Christmas parties. At the 4th of July parties, he could be found at the BBQ grill.

 He also drove all the cars in the company fleet, including limousines, hearses, vans, a Lincoln Navigator, and the Harley Davidson Hearse in the community auto shows.

Bank of America Call Center — Customer Service Specialist (October 2005-March 2006) Rio Rancho, New Mexico, where he earned all available bonuses for highest customer satisfaction.

Waste Management — Lead Roll-Off Driver and Supervisor (June 1997-October 2005) West Jordan, Utah

 Mark qualified for Government clearance at the Salt Lake City Airport and the 2002 Winter Olympics, for which he was so honored. He also earned a Safe Driver Award.

Ace Disposal — Roll-Off Driver (August 1992- June 1997) West Valley City, Utah

Education

 Mark had a voracious appetite for learning. His memory of ideas, events, and people was unbelievable. He was a man of story after story after story. Formally, and most recently, he completed a beginning drone class that he took with his wife.

UAS Center at SBD

Tactical Drone Concepts

Regional Occupational Programming

 Drone Pilot Training (Certificates awarded August 10, 2023)

BYU Idaho (Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Spring 2013)

 Completed Pathways curriculum:

Book of Mormon (Part 1)

Pathway Life Skills

Book of Mormon (Part 2)

Personal Finance

Basic Writing

Teachings of the Living Prophets

Myotherapy College of Utah (9/25/1995-3/15/1996)

 Massage Therapy Core Courses

Anatomy & Physiology

Swedish Massage

Acutherapy

Common Pathology

Practice Building

Reflexogy

Survey of Bodywork

Therapeutic Principles

San Juan College

Intro to Business (Fall 1989)

Open Entry Aerobics (Spring 1993)

Fun

 His ever-active mind needing constant attention, he loved playing games, but oh, how he hated to lose! Five Crowns, Rummikub, and Backgammon were regular favorites even though he would sulk if he lost. He had to back into parking spaces whenever permitted. He reveled in getting clean in a strong shower after working so hard.

 Mark enjoyed shows on BYU TV programming including “Artful,” and “Grace Notes.” He loved musical-themed TV shows; “America’s Got Talent,” “The Voice,” “Dancing with the Stars,” and many more. He had trouble falling asleep if there wasn’t some noise on the TV. He enjoyed going to the movies with his wife. One they both loved watching and re-watching is “Journey to Bethlehem,” starring Antonio Bandera in the role of his lifetime, King Herod, and his son, played by Joel Smallbone, from the band For King and Country, which he also loved. They also loved the James Bond movies, and the “Mission: Impossible” series.

 During the Christmas season, he grew to love watching the classics “White Christmas,” “Home Alone,” “It’s a Wonderful Life.” “A Christmas Story,” along with an unbelievable documentary titled “A Christmas Story Documentary: Road Trip for Ralphie,” He drove by the house it was filmed in a few years back, now a public museum in Cleveland, Ohio.

 TV shows they both could enjoy, “Tracker,” “The Andy Griffith Show,” “Little House on the Prairie,” “Chicago P.D.,” “High Potential,” "Gotham Garage," and the new “Matlock.”

 Mark was an informed patriot for sure. He loved America and learning about American History. He kept abreast of the political goings-on through alternative media sources, especially Rumble, watching “AndWeKnow”, and “X22” with his wife. The last outing they had was dropping off their voting ballots together.

 He appreciated fine dining for sure. Whenever one would ask what he wanted, he would say, “Steak and Lobster.” He craved his mother’s enchiladas with a fried egg on top, her meat pies, red beans and rice, steak gravy and rice, and his sister’s green chile chicken enchiladas. He had to make queso dip for special occasions. He enjoyed fresh California Rolls sushi, and, of course, fried chicken. It reminded him of his mother making it from scratch every Sunday when he was a little boy.

 He rooted for the Dallas Cowboys, even though their cheerleaders were such dogs, “Woof,” he would say. He had Dallas Cowboys shirts, hoodies, a pillow, a poncho, a key, a keychain holder, a little towel, and his favorite, a Vander Esch jersey #55. He loved the ribbing from strangers whenever and wherever he went, people love or hate the Cowboys. That was another amazing point of connection to fan and foe alike. A once-in-a-lifetime trip to see the Cowboys vs. Vikings in person was a highlight with treasured memories with his daughter Cydnie. Of course they enjoyed a tomahawk steak afterwards, culminating the trifecta of his core: food, family, and football.

Ancestors

 Mark got excited to discover more about his ancestors. The most noteworthy was Marie Therese CoinCoin ⁵, a freed slave and prolific slave owner, and her son Nicolas Augustin Metoyer ⁶. He also was interested to know that and how he was related to Ross Perot ⁷, and comedian John Pinette ⁸.

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The Spirit and the Body Shall Be Reunited – Alma 11:42-45

42 Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death.

43 The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.

44 Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.

45 Now, behold, I have spoken unto you concerning the death of the mortal body, and also concerning the resurrection of the mortal body. I say unto you that this mortal body is raised to an immortal body, that is from death, even from the first death unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits uniting with their bodies, never to be divided; thus the whole becoming spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption.

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Family Search ID:

¹ Mark Daniel La Cour — LFS3-RXG

² Manuel La Cour Jr — L2LF-TC

³ William Brent Christensen — LJSJ-42Z

⁴ Jeanne Thomsen — KW41-ZS1

⁵ Marie Therese CoinCoin — LCFS-DY

⁶ Nicolas Augustin Metoyer — KNQD-SZB

⁷ Ross Perot — GS63-R2C and

⁸ John Pinette — LB7R-BR

La Cour, Mark (2013) My Life: Warts and All [Unpublished paper from Basic Writing, ENG 106]. BYU Idaho.

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Fundraiser

Zoom Link for Mark's Memorial

Meeting ID: 863 794 2353

Passcode: colton1