Mark Jonathan Wilson, 64, passed away at his home in Desert Hot Springs, California, on April 30th, 2023.

Mark was born on April 29th, 1959, as the second of six children to Lewis and Ruth Wilson in Alhambra, California, a bustling suburb northeast of Los Angeles. He was a playful, active, hard-working, and brilliant youth, graduating early from Loyola High School in 1976 through an advanced curriculum and after having contributed to the school’s soccer and football teams. Mark worked numerous jobs, from mowing lawns to the night shift at the local 7-Eleven and package distribution at UPS, in order to begin his college education at California State University Los Angeles in 1977.

There he found a second and even larger family in his fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE). He joined their Cal Mu chapter and forged friendships bound by countless memories, which he would recount for everyone’s enjoyment at parties and as inspiration for a collection of short stories he intended to pen one day. Despite his reputation as a playful and notable party member, Mark never neglected his studies, making the National Dean’s List and being part of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. During his tenure in Greek life Mark would also meet his longest partner, Patrice Fisler- a member of SAE’s sister sorority- on a joint trip to Catalina Island.

Mark received his Bachelors of Science in Biology in 1981 and was accepted into UCLA Dental School, where he received numerous excellent performance reports and the Academy of Oral Pathology Award in 1985, the year he graduated from the program. He researched oral pathology and oral tumors, and interned at the VA clinic while waiting tables at the Enterprise Fish Company in Santa Monica. Mark was immensely proud to be a Bruin, donning blue and gold and rarely missed a game in the decades following his graduation.

Mark received his D.D.S., then he and Patrice moved to Orange County in 1986 for him to launch his practice Aliso Niguel Dental Group, which exists under the same name today. The couple married in 1987 on the Southern California coast at an overlook in Laguna Beach surrounded by their equally large biological and Greek families. The two were involved in many facets of their community through the Kiwanis Club, where Mark helped to found the Key Club- a junior service organization- at Aliso Viejo High School, which remains part of the school’s extracurricular programs. Mark effortlessly converted clients to lasting friends with his humor, expertise, and passion for tennis as the practice grew; as did his family. The couple welcomed their first child, Lewis Albert, in 1990. The following year brought their second child, Jayne Madeline, and growth in their business as they established WestCo Properties, managing residential rental properties.

The couple bought a home on a well-situated street in Mission Viejo, California in 1991, where they would raise their children and form warm relationships with their friends and neighbors; a spirit which Mark embodied unto his final residence in Desert Hot Springs, where he consistently greeted those on his street with cheer. The couple continued their contributions to the community throughout their almost two decades in Mission Viejo: Mark was a third degree black belt master in jiu-jitsu and taught classes at the local YMCA, acted as a leader and Boy Scout Master, AYSO Soccer coach and referee, basketball coach, and briefly president of local Kiwanis. He worked tirelessly, and in 1993 was granted a patent for his invention of the “Bruxism-relaxing Trainer.” The next year, the couple welcomed their third child, Shelby Rose Clarke.

Mark was committed to building a wonderful life in Orange County for himself and his family. He was always undertaking home projects, including the construction of an aviary housing over 40 exotic birds, maintaining a koi pond, cultivating a wishful vineyard, and caring for 4 dogs and several cats per his children’s tireless requests. He grew his dental practice by bringing on partners and taking a second floor in their building, expanding their client base and his network of friends- many of whom he considered family. Attendance of their annual holiday party grew year over year, adding to the warmth and excitement of the season among college reunion parties and large family affairs. The family traveled often, seeing every corner of the United States and all the family, friends, and historical sites- where Mark loved to share his excitement and knowledge of American history- along the way. The family would often retreat to nearby Palm Desert to relax between pools and tennis courts on weekends, remaining close enough to return to their busy lives in Orange County.

Mark was active in his children’s educational and extracurricular lives: visiting their elementary school classrooms to showcase the “fun” of Dentistry (highlighted by the blushing child assisting in a homemade tooth costume), dressing as a superhero or hula dancer for birthday parties, and supporting their sports teams. He took particular pride in his leadership roles in the local Boy Scout Troop, where he hosted pancake breakfasts, dinners, camping events, and spearheaded training the boys for major peak hikes throughout Southern California- Mt. Baldy, San Jacinto, San Gorgonio, Mt. Whitney- creating wonderful memories and a sense of achievement for the troop and his family.

In 1994, Mark had suffered a back injury in one of his jiu jitsu classes which would affect the rest of his life as he sought treatment and relief. Incorrigibly active, Mark continued his involvement in an increasing number of commitments and pushed through the injury for decades, ultimately exacerbating the degradation of his physical and mental health. Mark’s internal struggles would cause him to cut ties with his family, and later, divorce from Patrice in 2008. From that point Mark continued to work out of Palm Desert for a few years before leaving his practice and moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2010, where he stayed for several years in order to have a network of qualified doctors and surgery to rectify the years of damage to his spine. Unfortunately, the surgery presented additional complications that would cripple Mark for the balance of his life.

The final decade of Mark’s life was a battle against chronic pain and his drive to return to the form he felt he once had. He moved back to Palm Desert in 2013 and consistently pursued work, taking his own rigorous joy in pursuing scientific research and patents, and writing short stories and small novels, including “The Three Falls” of his adventures with the Boy Scouts. He obtained his Realtor’s license, passed the CBest in pursuit of a teaching credential, and filed yet another patent for a card game “Six-Card Focus.” He continued to find enjoyment in the company of animals, having several pet cats and tanks of exotic fish. On good days he also partook in aquatic exercise, lapping across the local swimming pool as had become his routine years ago after his initial back injury, and playing cards in his community clubhouse with neighbors. Unfortunately, Mark’s health continued to decline under addictions in an attempt to escape his pain, but he was buoyed by the connections of his friends and family members whose visits and phone calls meant so much to him, as well as his friend and partner Karen Rogo, who was with him throughout many of the struggles in his final years.

Despite a tumultuous path, Mark looked to a brighter future and a return to health, exemplified in his purchase of a new home in a scenic neighborhood outside Desert Hot Springs in 2022 between views of the San Jacinto and San Gorgonio peaks that he once climbed. In his final months there, he maintained his friendliness, generosity, goofy sense of humor, and love for his friends and children, for which he will be remembered.

Mark is survived by his three children Lewis, Jayne, and Shelby Wilson, his mother Ruth Wilson and his five siblings, as well as his beloved and aptly-named pet cat, Kitty. 

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