Letter for Mark

I first met Mark Motley at the lunch tables of Santa Margarita Catholic High School my first week freshman year. I had no friends and he struck up a conversation with me. Most recently. I shared an Anthropology class with Mark at Saddleback College Tuesday and Thursday mornings. I saw him at noon on Tuesday, less than two hours before he left us.

I have heard and read some ignorant, hateful, and cold comments from people who don’t know Mark but have heard the news. Let me say this: Mark did not do drugs; that Tuesday morning, Mark did not have a hangover, nor was he angry or in a hurry. Mark was a regular kid with good grades and normal hobbies and interests. There was no chip on his shoulder or major flaw in his personality that lead to his death. He did not deserve to die. Do not spit on a man’s grave, especially before he’s even been buried. I’m offended by commentators who try to justify an accident as some karmic retribution.

I’ve known Mark for five years, since high school. He told me he wanted to pursue a career in software engineering or technology, perhaps relating to networking or online services. He enjoyed his Computer Science classes at Saddleback. He didn’t really watch primetime television like Lost or Heroes, nor did he enjoy reality shows, but he did like to talk about Ultimate Fighting Championship. Mark liked a lot of hip hop and electronic music, and we’d talk about Daft Punk and Justice, or some old-school Tupac.

Mark worked at a nearby Albertsons, and I’d occasionally see him there. I’ll miss him in my class tomorrow, as I’m sure his friends whom are coworkers will too. My condolences to the family, as well as the family and friends of Zack. I didn’t know Zack well, but may he rest in peace.