Mark Oliver McClure was born on May 22, 1950, in Del Norte, Colo., to John C. "Tuffy" and June E. (Oliver) McClure. He grew up in Center where he lived a full and interesting life including being an outstanding wrestler during his high school years.
Mark joined the Navy during the Vietnam Conflict. Once he finished his commitment and was stateside, he met and married Marion Keller. Mark attended Adams State College where he served as the Entertainment Coordinator and graduated with a degree in Industrial Arts. Mark worked for the Forest Service in Rio Grande National Forest.
In 1978, he decided to move to Alaska, and he worked from Homer, Alaska, to 180 mile west of Barrows, Alaska (US-Russia border). While in Alaska, he was a volunteer with the Iditarod races.
Mark also participated and won several cribbage tournaments and would travel to Reno, Nev., to play in the National Cribbage Tournament. He played and won several Alaska poker tournaments which earned him an entry to "The World Series of Poker" in Las Vegas. We all know he always enjoyed a good card game.
In 2012, he retired and returned to Center to be with family.
Mark was preceded in death by his father John C. "Tuffy" McClure and his mother June E. (Oliver) McClure.
He is survived by his siblings, John F. "Skip" and Sue McClure of Center, Charles W. McClure and Mary McClure of Center, Rebecca S. "Becky" and Dave Barnes of Eaton, Colo., Mary C. and Allen Gilmore of San Antonio, Texas, as well as his cousin "Alaska family" and close friend Jim and Cindy Oliver and their children Cody, Younger and Jessie. Mark had many nieces and nephews and will be missed.
Cremation was chosen and the service will be at a later date.
To leave online condolences, please visit romerofuneralhomes.com. The care of arrangements has been entrusted to Romero Valley Funeral Home of Alamosa.
