Mark William Okiishi

Mark William Okiishi, age 41, of Herndon, VA passed away Saturday, July 16, 2016. He was born on March 14, 1975, in Ames, Iowa the son of Theodore and Rae (Wiemers) Okiishi. He was the third of four brothers. He grew up in Ames, Iowa where he attended grade school and high school. Mark served a two year, full-time mission for the LDS Church. He was assigned to the Fresno, California Spanish-speaking mission. He attended Brigham Young University graduating summa cum laude with a BA in 1998. Mark flourished in his social life as well and met and married his best friend and love of his life, Heather Searle, a woman who saw past the quirk and the wit to the tender, gentle, soul inside. After graduating, Mark fulfilled his childhood fantasy, standing for justice and working to rid the world of evil, by joining the United States State Department in Washington DC. When given a hard time about all the vacation time he was accruing, Mark would quip, “Terror doesn’t take three day weekends, so neither do I.” Mark and his family lived in Japan, Korea and Israel while serving the State Department. While living in Okinawa, Japan, Mark and Heather welcomed their first child, Muneo, named for Mark’s beloved grandfather. Ian and Mikaela joined the family not long after, bringing their individual light and joy to the family. He served in many positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints including Seminary Instructor, Bishopric, Temple coordinator and many teaching assignments and youth presidencies. He would want his family to know that he loves them and will be patiently waiting for them in the clearing at the end of the path. He would ask us to remember him in all his contradictions and imperfections. Remember his sophisticated, brilliant mind and his childlike love of simplicity. Remember him as a man—husband, father, brother, son, friend--who tried so hard to matter, to mean something in the world, and to make a difference. Mark's love, charity, humor and kindness were felt by all those in his life, and we are better for having known him. Survivors include his loving wife, Heather Marie Searle Okiishi; three children, William Muneo Okiishi(14), Ian Hisao Okiishi(12), Mikaela Kimiyo Okiishi(8); his parents, Theodore Okiishi and Rae (Wiemers) Okiishi; three brothers, Christopher Okiishi of Iowa City, IA, John Okiishi and wife Alana of Cary, NC, Kenneth Okiishi of New York, NY. Mark Okiishi’s funeral services will be held Monday, July 25, at 10:30 AM at the Herndon/Reston ward building, 1515 Poplar Grove Drive, Reston, Virginia 20194 Bishop Michael Hunsaker officiating. The family will receive guests on Sunday, July 24th, from 6 to 8 PM at the Herndon/Reston ward building and Monday, July 25, 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Interment will be held at the Ames Municipal Cemetery in Ames, Iowa. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Okiishi Children Fund at: www.gofundme.com/2f4txus

Mark William Okiishi

March 14, 1975 - July 16, 2016