Mark Paul

Mark Andrew Paul passed away unexpectedly at the age of 68 from heart failure on May 7, 2023, in the home he shared with his loving partner, MaryJo Baker, in Lakewood, Colo.

Mark was born in Tulsa, Okla., to Chester and Violet Paul on October 15, 1954.

During his childhood in Oklahoma his family moved several times as his father pursued his career in advertising for a grocery store chain. He and his siblings idolized a father who had a great sense of humor and loved Corvettes.

When his parents divorced in 1962 the family moved to Lovington, N.M. His mother met and married Eugene Thompson and the entire family eventually settled in Lakewood in 1970.
Mark graduated from Bear Creek High School in 1972 and went on to earn his associate degree from Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colo.

Mark found a job making maps in the coal and gas industry in Denver and later in Billings, Mont. When the industry changed, he returned to Denver to begin working at Signs Now. He used his drafting and design skills to make signs. He also spent many years coaching youth football even though he never had a son.
He met Tanya Haynes, and they married in 1992. They made their home in Aurora with dogs as their constant companions. Mark started his own sign business, Pro Signs, and it turned into a great success. Many of his signs remain around Denver in such places as the Denver Zoo and the Sturm College of Law at the University of Denver.
Mark and Tanya traveled to many beautiful tropical locations and began diving every chance they could. He had found his favorite hobby in diving. Well, that and golf. Always golf! In 2010, Mark sold his business, and they made the big move to live on the island of Curacao, where he followed his passions of diving and cooking, plus a little sign making on the side. Mark always loved cooking for others and finally got to pursue cooking professionally at a small oceanside cafe.

Mark returned to Denver in the summer of 2012 to visit family and saw his mother’s health declining from Alzheimer’s. He became her constant companion and helper before she passed away in September 2012.

Mark found a new career path of caring for the elderly from his experience with his mother. He soon became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and cared for senior citizens in their own homes and, of course, cooked for them. In the interim, he and Tanya divorced.

While attending services at Mountain View United Church in Aurora in 2017, Mark met a bright and beautiful redhead, MaryJo Baker, who immediately captured his attention. They soon became a couple and bought a home together in Lakewood where they lived with their pets — cats, Mickey and Molly, and dog, Nobo.
They had a full and happy life together traveling to visit family and most recently to Saint Maarten for a diving trip. They have been healers of one another's hearts and a blessing in each other's lives during their time together.

Mark is preceded in death by his father, Chester Paul, mother, Violet Thompson, stepfather, Eugene Thompson, and his brother, Kent Paul. Mark is survived by MaryJo Baker, his sisters, Christie Sparr (Steve) and Lori Carlson (Dave), sister-in-law, Sandy Paul, nephews, Jared Sparr (Lisa) and Matt Paul (Lauren), and nieces Britta Carlson and Linnea Carlson. He had four great nieces and nephews, Brooks and Palmer Sparr and Madeline and Lucas Paul.
Mark will be deeply missed by all the family and his many friends.
Mark's service will be held May 26, 2023, at 10 A.M. at Lakewood United Church of Christ, 100 Carr Street, Lakewood, CO 80226. Flowers are welcomed or please donate in Mark’s memory to a dog rescue of your choice.