Mark Ferris

Mark Wayne Ferris, AKA "Bulldog", 51, of Manassas, Virginia passed away at his home Tuesday, November 22, 2011 in his sleep. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 1, 1960 to Gordon Frank Ferris and Carol Virginia Odom. Brother to Ron, Gordon and Beth. He married Michelle Reed on 25 September, 1993 in Youngstown, Ohio. A graduate of Annandale High, he was a thespian, wrestler, and defensive lineman and served briefly as class president in 1978. He attended the University of Central Oklahoma and enjoyed a multitude of work interests including: roughneck, Alaskan highway car transporter, bartender, manager of a rock band, long haul trucker, and finally as a security service contractor in Iraq where he sacrificed being away from his home and family to serve alongside U.S. Armed Forces. He was a loyal patriot, accomplished poker player, avid Redskins fan, guidance counselor, neighborhood boss, devoted son, brother, husband and stepfather. During his tour in Iraq, he participated in the procurement and clandestine delivery of needed infant supplies to a select Iraqi family. He lived in Alabama, Kansas, Germany, Oklahoma, Ohio, Virginia, and Iraq and visited Ireland and Saudi Arabia. He was detained briefly in Rome, Italy, and dove into a reef of fire coral in the Red Sea. Survived by his loving wife Michelle Ferris of Manassas, Virginia, step-daughter Kristin Carol Greenwood of Chicago, Illinois, step-son Richard "Rick" Patoray of Nashville, Tennessee and daughter in law Katie Patoray, mother Carol Ferris of Arlington, Virginia, brothers Ronald Perry Ferris of Youngstown, Ohio and Gordon Douglas Ferris of Lakewood, Colorado and sister Connie Elizabeth Ferris of Manassas, Virginia, nephews Ronald Gordon Ferris of Youngstown, Ohio, David Lee Ferris of Silverdale, Washington, Gordon Frank Ferris II of Lakewood, Colorado and nieces Melissa Gannon and Allison McAndrews Ferris of Lakewood, Colorado. Predeceased by his father, Colonel, USA (retired) Gordon Frank Ferris on August 6, 1997. Cousins Kent Odom, Brad Odom, Anne Sharp, Carann Sanderson, Jamie Sharp, Julie Sharp, Doug and Greg Ferris. Friend to many, faithful to most, he lived by his own rules and dreamed the American dream. The family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00 P.M., Monday, November 28, 2011 at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center St., Manassas, VA where funeral services will follow at 4:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations to Veteran organizations are preferred.

Mark Ferris

May 1, 1960 - November 22, 2011