Marquis (Mark) Arnold Johnson, 73, of Ft. Myers, Florida went to be with his Lord and Savior on April 13th, 2021. His wife and two sons were by his side when he passed away from respiratory failure due to COVID. He was born on August 14th, 1947 in Roanoke, VA and lived most of his life in Bluefield where he graduated from Bluefield High School, class of 1965. After receiving his Industrial Engineering Degree from Auburn University in 1970, he returned to Bluefield to work in two family businesses.

He was Vice President of Pocahontas Welding Supply until 1986 when he transitioned to Pemco Corporation. Mark served in various leadership roles while at Pemco and subsequently became the President and COO until his retirement in 2015. He was also involved with several trade associations where he made lifelong friends. Mark was a true leader, mentor, and teacher to many at the business. Mark was kind, patient, honest, generous and had the utmost integrity.

Those qualities were also exhibited in his personal life as he was devoted to his wife and family. He married his childhood sweetheart of 70 plus years and they were the most compatible pair traveling extensively together and with family and friends. Mark was always involved with his children's and grandchildren's activities. He actively served on various boards and groups to improve the quality of whatever organization that was a part of his family at the time.

His greatest purpose in life was serving the Lord Jesus Christ. He led by example and not by proclamation. He was never boastful, but always gentle and affable. He was a true example of living a Christian life in his work, home, church, and among all his friends every day. He was a lifelong member of First Christian Church in Bluefield, WV. His dedication and service to church was evident as he served as an Elder all his adult life. He was Board Chairman and served in various leadership roles. He touched many lives in that church and beyond without even knowing. His calm demeanor and fierce strength in his dedication to the church and doing the Lord's work was always his goal. Any initiative was never about himself, but only for the glory of God. He was a dedicated supporter of the Bluefield Union Mission and was generous with several charities in the community.

Mark enjoyed his time playing golf with his friends and family and was a fierce competitor, but also enjoyed a good belly laugh. He was a dedicated member of the Bluefield High School class of 1965 reunion committee where he worked tirelessly alongside his friends always planning the next reunion.

Mark retired to the Gulf Harbour Community in Ft. Myers, FL. where he quickly became involved and enjoyed hosting his friends and family. He played numerous rounds of golf with his newfound friends at what he referred to as "the office". He was an associate member of Cypress Lakes Methodist Church, where he had the opportunity of traveling to Israel, The Holy Land. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Virginia Johnson, his brother David Johnson. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Susan Sowers Johnson of Ft. Myers, his sister Joyce Johnson Timberlake and partner Drew Hardin of Ft. Myers. Two sons Jay and his wife Beth of Bluefield, WV, and Jeff and his wife Amy of Charlotte, NC. Four granddaughters, Caroline Elizabeth, 24, of Morgantown, WV, Virginia Ruth, 21, of Bluefield, WV, Margaret (Maggie) Kaye, 10, and Elizabeth (Eliza) James, 8, of Charlotte, NC. Sister in Law Julie Johnson of Richmond, VA.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service for Mark on April 29th, 2021 at First Christian Church, 2200 Bland Road, Bluefield, WV. Visitation at 12:30 followed by the service at 2:00 to be officiated by close friend and Pastor Doug McDaniel. In lieu of flowers please make any donations to First Christian Church ( http://www.bluefieldfcc.com ), the Bluefield Union Mission, or the South Fort Myers Food Pantry (sfmfoodpantry.com).