Brendon, we love you and Hwa-Ja!

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Brendon. Many people are thinking of you today with fond remembrances, especially your wife and church family. Hwa-Ja’s world is much saddened not to have you by her side each day, but she and many others are grateful for whatever earthly time and the many talented and loving gifts that you shared with us. 

Hwa-Ja, please accept my sincere condolences.  Words cannot express my deepest regret for your loss. 

 Brendon was a special person, and working with him was wonderful.  When he spoke, his comments were quiet, succinct, and intellectual.    He was a manager's model employee.  He did his work quietly, with the highest quality and often voluntarily.  When he requested to work from home (Rim Rock), I thought he'll probably move back to central Phoenix in a few years, but how wrong was I.LOL   Brendon seemed to love being in a rural area and working on his home projects.  Bob and I enjoyed spending a few weekends with you both.  And Brendon just beamed with joy when he would show us his progress on projects, and when he shared his future project plans.  I regret not keeping in touch the last few years, but assumed you both were fine, my mistake.  

I had planned to attend the services this weekend.  However, after having my car in the shop yesterday, I'm not sure getting on the road with a 24-year-old car is prudent on my part.   

Please let me know if I can be of any help to you in the future...........Lillie

It was my privilege to have known Brandon for a few years. He will be missed by many.

I worked on the same team at American Express with Brendon for many years.  He was a good friend to everyone and always willing to help.  He was very creative in coming up with ideas to solve problems.  Many of the tools that he created are still in use at Amex.  Very sorry to hear about his passing.  He was a good man.

Hwa-Ja, I am deeply saddened by Brendon's transitioning.  My wish for all of us at this time is to yield to what is and to thank Source for the time we spent with this remarkable soul.

I shared an office with Brendon at McDonnell Douglas Helicopters in Mesa, AZ.  When we first met I thought, who is this "geek" that is moving in to our neighborhood.  Soon after, I got to know this "geek" and realized what an honor it was to be sharing an office with him.  Brendon was a deep thinker and was exceptional at figuring ways to make the mainframe step out of its comfort zone to accomplish the most difficult tasks assigned to him.  I gained a lot of technical knowledge from Brendon.  However, and more importantly, I learned more about Life from him.  I recall laughing my head off many times with his dry sense of humor.  One story in particular that I had him repeat several times was the time he and Conrad fixed up a sled and came flying down a hill in upstate New York.  Even though I had heard the story before, I laughed every time I heard it.  The one thing I hated about Brendon was his commitment to track every single play that happened during softball games we played in.  Come Monday morning I would dread getting to the office only to find a printout detailing how many outs I had made during the game, the number of runners I has stranded on base, the number of points my low batting average had dropped, the number of gulps of water I had taken during the game, etc.    He was a master statistician!  If the after Life keeps track of such mundane events, I am sure Brendon is at the front of the line volunteering to be the official record keeper.  The thing I loved most about Brendon was his kindness.  When asked for help by another co-worker, he would go out of his way to provide as much assistance as needed, regardless the impact this had on his schedule.  That's just who Brendon was.  He was born to spread kindness around and to make people smile just by being authentic.  I love Brendon Marks.

It is nice to read the  stories of Brendon as an adult friend and co worker. My connection is of a first cousin all through childhood and as young adults in Pennsylvania and New York states.  BHave been separated by miles for many years but have good memories of that early time and have stayed in touch.  

I am so sorry to hear the news about Brendon. I remember him being such a very nice person….always willing to help and a great sense of humor. When I worked with him he was always thinking of and developing tools that made the job so much easier for the rest of us. He was very well-liked and very smart. I still have the book that he wrote and signed for me (as well as yours). Regretfully, I won’t be able to make it to his service, but I will be remembering him fondly and thinking of you.

Deepest sympathy for you and your family.

This was a note about breaking his hip sent to his Amex teammates.

It all started with his horse.... something spooked Shadow and he gave it his best but didn't make the 8 seconds. He landed on his right side and snapped the ball off the top of his thigh bone. This was Sunday night, and he was in surgery Monday morning at 3:00 AM. Apparently there was a midnight special on orthopedic emergencies and he was 3rd in the queue when he arrived at the ER.

There is always more to the story...

After he hit the ground, he got up on all fours but could feel excruciating pain and didn't try to stand. I can’t imagine how painful that must have been. In true frontiersman fashion, Hwa-Ja brought him a chair and he pulled himself up to a sitting position. She brought the car around and he somehow moved from the chair to the front seat of the car. Maybe when you are in shock you don't feel as much pain but that just sounds like an incredible feat. Who needs an ambulance when you get strapped to the back of your wagon and are driven to town!

The surgery lasted 3 hours and they put 3 or 4 screws into his thigh bone. Talk about an application for toe nailing! He chose the screws over a ball replacement. If you have ever seen the PBS special on hip replacement you know how big a deal that would be.

Can you imagine this guy tied down for 6 weeks! That's what the Dr is ordering but i bet he is leaving that walker in about 4. I asked about giving up on the running, but he wasn't willing to commit to that, but he might have taken home his last softball trophy.

His room addition project was in its early stages, he had removed the old concrete and dug out the footers. Then it rained, and he has been battling the mud bog. He is going to hire someone to pour the slab and then put this project on hold. I thought maybe we could offer our services as a team building event, but he has it covered.

Keep him in your thoughts!

Paul

Dear Hwa-Ja

I’m so sorry for your loss.

We Loved Brendon like a brother!

His Obituary was spot on… he was a lot of things to a lot of people.

As his co-worker at Amex i have so many fond memories…

Back in the day when meetings often meant food, he would make the rounds about 9 or 10 am and report back about the goodies we could find… i know he would partake of them too but i never saw an extra pound on him…

His software is still running and will for as long as the mainframes are still there. One piece in particular grants us access to production data and logs the activity, GOPDA. I use it almost daily and i think of him every time i use it.

He did love his sports, i cant say that we played on the same team but i think that was my first introduction to him at the softball fields. He was a team player and loved competition.

He was an Architect, Engineer and Master Craftsman! Our home in Chandler was transformed when he taught me about framing and we added a room addition. I know he did many other bigger projects at your home too.

Our fondest memory are the times we hunted together. There is something special about sitting around a camp fire at night or the dark of morning and sharing stories of our days experiences. The best year ever was when all three of us brought the meat home.

Sending our Love to you and the family!

Paul

Dear Jwa-Ja, my deepest sympathy for you and your family. I wish you peace and comfort at this time of sorrow. I will be traveling on Brendon’s services date, but will try so see you soon.  

Shelbie Tarlowski 

Hwa-Ja, I'm so sorry about your loss.  You and family will be in my prayers for God to give you the  strength to stand all the pain you're experiencing.  Please keep in touch with me and if there's anything I can do, please don't hesitate and call/text me at 602-421-0842.