Remembering Mark Brazil (1958-2023)

On August 6th of 2023, at the age of 65, Mark Brazil embarked on his final flight. For those who knew him, he left behind a world that seemed too small for his dreams and too vast for his sorrows.

Born and raised under the broad Texas skies, Mark's passion for aviation began as a young boy. Flying was a canvas on which to chart his own course, a realm to explore, and a challenge to master. His love for aviation was not merely his pastime—it was a testament to the heights of human endeavor and the soaring spirit of man.

Mark was not just a creature of the sky. He found solace in the gentle embrace of the ocean, where he would often cast a line, hoping to capture not just big fish but moments of peace and clarity. His respect for the silent depths of the waters was only rivaled by his love for the boundless skies. The ocean, with its rhythmic dance of waves and endless horizons, was a reflection of Mark's own spirit - deep, vast, and ever in motion.

Yet, life, with its intricate patterns and designs, sometimes weaves complexities and challenges that even the strongest men find daunting. Mark's final decade was a complicated one, marked by a series of events that perhaps only he fully understood. The circumstances surrounding his departure reminds us all of the battles some face silently, and the importance of compassion, understanding, and forgiveness for those who sin against us.

His Children, Miles Brazil and Leslie Cross, who inherited Mark's adventurous spirit and love for the world's wonders, will provide more insights in due time. For now, we choose to remember the good in Mark's life. While filled with challenges, his was a testament to the pursuit of passion and the indomitable spirit of man. This is the man we all miss dearly.

G.K. Chesterton once said, "The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man." As we remember Mark, let us not seek to understand the solutions of his life but appreciate the riddle that he was—a mystery of passion, depth, and adventure.

He is survived by his mother, Barbara Grove, his siblings Kevin and Claudia Brazil, his Children, Miles and Leslie Brazil (Cross), and his 4 grandchildren.

His family will be bidding him farewell in Lake Tahoe, where Mark loved to sail and ski. Please pray for them to experience the peace that they so richly deserve in this time.