Pe-pe (pronounced pay-pay). Obviously Mark never took Spanish and can’t roll his Rs so instead of calling me Perry (or Mr. Handsome) like the rest of the world, he could only manage Pe! And since he wanted to emphasize that I was twice as cool as anyone else he knew, he add a second “pe”. So the nickname Pe-pe was born. I suspect by including this in the webpage Mark is famous (and quite good at) giving people nicknames or just changing names in general:)

I have no funny memories of Mark as he is the driest, most high-strung guy I know…just kidding, every memory I have of him is funny, don’t make me choose! Actually I still chuckle when I think of the time we went out to play golf (I think it was at Maumee Bay State Park) and he hit a goose or duck in the backside with his tee shot! Luckily, duck not seriously injured, Funny stuff:)

Mark was my first upperclass friend at Kenyon and he introduced me in to his circle of friends. This had a positive and important impact of my life at Kenyon and beyond…thank you my friend.

In Malcolm Gladwell’s book, THE TIPPING POINT he describes three personality types with particular rare and special social gifts: Connectors, Mavens, Salesmen (Persuaders) that are needed for social change (for me, the people who move the world forward).

Now Mark is no Maven, but he definitely is a Connector described as the people in a community who know large numbers of people and who are in the habit of making introductions. Someone who knows people across an array of social, cultural, professional, and economic circles, and make a habit of introducing people who work or live in different circles. They are people who “link us up with the world…people with a special gift for bringing the world together”. They are “a handful of people with a truly extraordinary knack for making friends and acquaintances”.

He is also a Salesman (Persuader) who are people who are charismatic with powerful negotiation skills. They tend to have an indefinable trait that goes beyond what they say, which makes others want to agree with them.

Mark is a kind, funny, smart caring person who also happens to be a Connector and a Salesman. He is known, and will always be remembered for his kind character and his genuine and powerful people skills.

nope, just congrats on the big Hawaii Five-O my friend!

Mark made baseball possible for the Linton’s. He stood by Eric and was a tremendous partner for 4 seasons. He motivated the kids. He made baseball fun.

Mark – I am so lucky to have met you and your amazing family. You have kept my husband sane (which of course helped me!) You motivated the kids and inspired them. You are a kind, wonderful man and know what is important in life. Thank you for your friendship. Happy birthday!!!

Rams, Rambutt

Um, most are classified, and there are many.

Mark is my best and dearest friend. He has been a catalyst for many of my greatest adventures, a true confidant with sage wisdom, and a Godly man who has set a standard of faith, discipline, and obedience that I strive to emulate.

Mark always said he wants his tombstone to read, “He left this place better than he found it” he’s already done that, and he’s just getting started!

Happy Birthday, brother. Hope to celebrate another 50 with you!

Mark, if you recall I beat my nickname out of you with my bare hands and now I am just Allison. hahahahahahahaha!

Riding all over Dallas in a van with you, Mark. It was a highlight of that whole year!

Mark, you give so much heart and hope wherever you go. I do love you.

Legacy? You are just getting started with the things you will do. Very excited to be here at BC with you to see them.

I hope it’s your best year yet!!!!!!!!!

CB – my name was too long to say altogether i guess… 😉

I can’t think of one but I’m sure there were some!

He was a great earthly example of how a husband and father should be. He and Chris were both wonderful mentors to my husband and me.

His legacy and lasting imprint will be his sons. He pours into them and invests in them more than many fathers I know and have seen. His sons will grow up and tell their children about him and what they were taught by him.

Mark Shull!! Have a wonderful 50th birthday!! Enjoy the grey hairs, aching muscles and senior specials…. And remember, you’re only as old as you feel!!! Give your boys a hug for me! Love you guys!

JDubs

Selling me tailor made shirts.

His vision and burden to change the world through the mentoring and development of men. He has been an incredible cheerleader for me in the ministry of (7).

Loving and leading his wife, family and men wherever he is.

Mark, I am so glad you were born and that God sent you here, for such a time as this. I love reaching and developing men with you. Thanks man.

I don’t have one quite yet, but something tells me that when I see him riding down Columns Drive in a few months with some spandex bike shorts on that’ll pop right to the top of this list! Haha!

In the couple of short years that I’ve known Mark, he’s helped me in multiple areas. First, I know his heart is to help develop men & he has shown a willingness to partner with our MoneyWise ministry to help in any way that he can. Second, as I’ve been trying to understand God’s calling for my life he’s been instrumental in taking time to listen to my business ideas to connecting me with the right people at the right time. When Rachael & I were dealing with a car accident, he pointed us in the right direction with a lawyer that he trusted. When I was trying to even understand where & how to start a business, Mark connected me with the right person at the right time. Those connections have really helped in my personal life…I wouldn’t have any idea where to start with finding a lawyer for either of those two areas. He’s asked on several occasions how the business stuff has been going, which shows that he actually cares about me & how I’m developing even outside of the work place.

I think he will be known as a man who got stuff done & developed others. In a world where talk is cheap, I feel like Mark just does what needs to be done & isn’t afraid to shy away from hard work or conversations. I know that he has impacted hundreds of leaders & men in his time here at Buckhead. It’d probably be overwhelming for him to see just how far & wide his impact stretches across the lives of so many men in our community & then how those men that he’s influenced have gone on to influence even more men (and families).

Happy 50th, Mark! Proud to call you a friend!

Studebaker – Mark just started calling me that early on because my normal nickname is Stu.

My funniest memories are watching Mark and Steve Giddens interact with one another! It was a hilarious site to behold. I was like the 3rd-wheel in so many conversations, just watching these guys interact was hilarious.

Mark led me in my first job in ministry. I’m grateful for his investment in me. I’m also grateful for the way he modeled a family-first balance of work and life.

He’ll be know as a man who loved Jesus and wanted men to love Jesus, too, because he fully believes in the impact of Godly men. He will be known as a man who was constantly striving to love and serve Chris and his boys well.

FIFTY?!?!?!?!?!?! FIFTY?!?!?!?!?!?! oh man. at least you look good for 50.

If he had a nick name for me, he never told me to my face 🙂

There was something funny at every young life meeting…. But a few skits he did with my brother Harry had me laughing so hard I cried.

Mark is one of the reasons I kept coming to young life, and my faith has given me strength at tough times, so I’m very grateful for that.

High schools a tough time, and so is life after high school. He has inspired and helped guide way too many kids to count, a pretty impressive imprint on the world.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 🙂

I’m not really sure. He might call me Tbone, simply because that’s what often seems to roll out when nick names are formed for me.

Probably, our funniest memory together was at the Lake Tubing with Tom Elias at the wheel. Somehow I hit the wake at just the right time and was catapulted into the air. I heard from Greg, who I could see down in the boat, “Oh My!” After finally splashing back down into the water; noting that I had not actually broken my neck, we all relived the experience and since have re-told the story many times. During the same Lake trip and probably more funny than this was, Greg’s adventurous leap from the 90 foot rock face with young high school boys indicating they would never jump from that rock because they were not “idiots”.

Huge! His friendship and encouragement has uplifted my spirit since the day we met!

Mark has:
Given me his friendship which is precious time
Given hope and vision for how God can use me
Provided a place for me to belong and serve among other like minded men
Opened avenues for me to utilize the gifts I have been given
Provide avenues for me to participate in creating Leadership content and leading men which I never have imagined I would do.
Brought about an amazing unforgettable wedding day experience as the officiator of my marriage with Tracy

Mark continues to be a source of encouragement to me and a very real life example of a Servant Leader

Example of servant leader. Example of great Exhortation and Encouragement. Example of a Husband and Father committed to his family’s well being.

Mark, you have made and continue to make a huge impact on me and all the people around you by your spirit, your vision and your encouragement. I highly value our friendship and count it a privilege to know you! I hope you have a Wonderful Birthday my friend!