Mark Paul Lauderdale, our beloved husband, dad, and Grandpa/Papa, was born in Cushing, Oklahoma, on October 8, 1952, as the only son of Paul and Echo Lauderdale. He died at the age of 69 in the early morning of Sunday, May 1, 2022, at his home on the bluff overlooking the Cimarron River where he played as a boy. Those who will miss him the most are his devoted wife of 47 years, Susan, and his children, Ryan Lauderdale and his wife, Lindsay, of Hudson, New York, and Mindi Friese and her husband, Shane, of Lakewood, Colorado. The delights of his life were his three grandchildren, Renger Lauderdale, Jack Friese, and Echo Friese. He also leaves behind his brothers-in-law, Jim Oakes and his wife, Cheryl, of Guymon, Oklahoma, and Steve Oakes of Walsh, Colorado, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Kathy Johnson.

Mark grew up on the Lauderdale farm where he helped his dad work cattle, plant crops, bale hay, and fix fences. He was happiest riding his tractor, caring for the land he grew up on. He was a man of nature who found solace on the sandstone rocks overlooking the Cimarron River. He attended Yale schools, all twelve years, graduating with his beloved Class of 1970. Mark then graduated from Oklahoma State University with a BS in physical education in 1975. While attending OSU, he met Susan, and theirs was a lifelong love. They married on August 3, 1974, in Guymon, Oklahoma. Following graduation, the couple moved to Cushing where Mark worked at Dalton Precision and Susan taught elementary music. They were blessed with the birth of their son, Ryan, in 1979, and then their daughter, Mindi, in 1982. Mark was a hands-on dad who adored his children. Cushing was a wonderful place for his family to grow and flourish, and he was involved in church activities, little league sports, piano recitals, birthday parties, hunting trips with his buddies -- all precious memories now. In 2008, Mark and Susan built their home on the Cimarron bluff that he loved as a child.

Mark began a career in the insurance business in 1980, eventually buying his own agency in 1985. He was very involved in the Professional Insurance Agents and served as President of the Oklahoma PIA and was named Oklahoma Agent of the Year in 1986 and 1989. He was also a long-time Rotarian and a Paul Harris Fellow. Most important to him, though, was his church, First Baptist of Cushing, where he served as a deacon since 1980, taught adult Sunday School for more than 30 years, and served for many years on the Long-Range Planning Committee for the building of the new church.

Mark's passion in life was his family. Although he loved to make people laugh, he was gifted with a special stillness that put those who knew him at ease. He was a trusted confidante and a kind soul. Yet he was a man with clay feet. In his later years, during such difficult times, he expressed how, in his most private thoughts, Jesus was always there for him. His family and the people of Cushing were God's grace to Mark and Susan.

A memorial celebration of Mark's life will be held in Cushing at the First Baptist Church at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 5, 2022, under the direction of Palmer Marler Funeral Home. A private graveside service for family will be held earlier in the day at Lawson Cemetery near Yale. A public viewing will be held on Wednesday, May 4, from 2-8 PM. Donations may be made in Mark's memory to the St. Joseph's Indian School in care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home.