Mark Fulton
April 02, 1956 - April 07, 2011
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Mark Fulton
April 02, 1956 - April 07, 2011
Obituary
Mark Fulton
Of Big Bear Lake, California
Born April 2, 1956 in Merced, California
Died April 7, 2011
In Santa Monica, of congestive heart failure due to amyloidosis
Parents: Albert Andrew and Marie Cornell Fulton
Wife: Cathy
Daughters: Kinsey and Ali
Son: Miles
Dog: Sadie
Brothers: Dorian and Damian
Sisters: Deidre and Tiffany
Friends: Legion
Accomplishments: Legendary
Life: Epic
Mark was a leader, an innovator, an athlete, and an intrepid adventurer. He was dedicated to his family, a loyal friend, a conscientious employee, and a wonderful brother. He throve on excellence in fact, he embodied it.
Life was a treasure trove of opportunity for Mark and his boundless energy. He loved finding and creating challenges, and involving others in them. From his individual accomplishments in volleyball, skiing, running and triathlons grew a desire to create adventure and challenges for others. He created the Big Bear Triathlon Series rated Top Ten in the United States – and the ongoing 8000 Meter Challenge.
Mark drew people to him, and created wonderful experiences as a way to extend his reach. In his work, there was always a sense of fun. Mark’s many successes convinced him that people had great potential, and he expected people to operate at their best level and to have fun and adventure while doing so. To be around Mark was to have a warrantee against boredom and a sure ticket for an adventure.
Mark also was a man who believed in carrying his own weight. Independence, integrity, and accountability were the elements of Mark’s core. If you knew Mark, you knew you could count on his word. You knew he would bring value to any proposition – and you sure wanted him on your team.
Mark was a beacon and a catalyst, a human alchemist. Those who knew Mark had ordinary parts of their lives transmuted to extra-ordinary, exceptional and exhilarating events.
The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, donations to help with medical costs be made through Big Bear Lake Union Bank, care of Cathy Fulton.
57 responses to Mark Fulton
Lynne Stolesen says:
April 15, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with Cathy and her family. I am so very sorry for their loss. Mark was truly
an incredible man.. Rest in Peace dear Mark.
Sharon Scott says:
April 15, 2011
As so many people have already expressed, Mark was a special man. Genuine, honest, creative, and much more. I will remember how he beamed when he spoke of some of his passions: his family, his most current outdoor endeavor, his business initiatives. I will remember his grace and directness when he told me about his illness. His family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. The world has lost a good man far too soon.
The Hartigans says:
April 15, 2011
We were so shocked to hear the news and still can’t believe it’s real. Mark was so kind to Sam, taking her under his wing and teaching her so much about volleyball. We learned so much and enjoyed our team road trips. Our thoughts have been with you and we are so sorry for this tremendous loss.
John D. Mead says:
April 19, 2011
I was a friend and customer of Mark’s for over 20 years. Like hundreds, if not thousands of others, I’ve been the victim of Mark’s challenges, encouragement and enthusiasm.
Among his many talents, he had the unique ability of convincing you to do something or buy something, not because it was good for him, but because it was good for you. In fact whether it was a new product, a plan, a program or a mountain, if I said no, I felt bad for me, not Mark.
My only regret as a friend, was never taking the time to fully express my gratitude to him. At least not while he was alive.
There are so many things that Mark stayed dedicated to. His Family, Friends, multiple Communities, but there we’re many things he moved on from, like some the best product lines in the industry, in order to take on new challenges and give others opportunity. Through it all, there is one thing that stayed rock solid consistent. He made and/or left everything he touched better than he found it. What an amazing legacy.
It was certainly not at his choosing, but perhaps he left us for a higher calling that we can’t fully understand. I don’t know. What I do know, at this sad time is that he left all of us better people than he found us. That’s a small joy today that will grow in time as we find ways to pay his legacy forward.
I feel privileged Mark Fulton found me. My heart goes out to his family. He will be missed greatly.
Kirk Lipson says:
April 23, 2011
It has been several years since i have been in the Outdoor Industry since we closed Popular Outdoor Outfitters in 2006. There are only a handful of people that i counted as friends and mark was one of them. He encouraged me to do the Rainer trip, was a valuable asset to our business, the staff loved him and he will be missed.
I had traded emails with him earlier this year letting him know i moved and am living in Manhattan Beach and we were trying to figure out how to get together. We never got that chance and for that i have regret
My condolences to his family.
Mark you will be missed
Kirk Lipsson
past CEO of Popular Outdoor outfiters