Mark Wesley Pinckard

Type of Donation:          organs, tissue and corneas

Age and Location:          Age 18 – El Dorado, AR

Donation Date:             5/21/2002

Sponsor:                   Honored by Union County Community Foundation

MARK’S STORY

“Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.” Mark adopted these words by John Lennon as his own. Even while Mark lived his full life, he expressed to three groups of classmates that he wished to be an organ donor. Mark taught his friends to live life to the fullest and never have regrets.

Mark was an exceptional young man, loved by his family, friends, and community, accomplishing much in his 18 years.  As a 2002 honors graduate of El Dorado High School, he excelled in academics (4.43 GPA), as well as band, theater and soccer.  He earned academic honors as an AP Honors Scholar, Wearer of the Gold, National Honor Society, and Beta club.  Mark was a wonderful musician, playing the trombone, baritone, and bass guitar in EHS band, All Region Band, EHS Jazz Band, All Region Jazz Band, and 4 States Jazz Band.  He also played bass guitar in “The Elements”.  He was honored to travel through Europe with the Arkansas Ambassadors of Music.  Mark found he had a passion for theater and was awarded Honor Thespian, was the Technical Director for Thespian Troupe #42 and EHS Theater, received superior rating at ASCA competition, and was the Technical Director for “Masque of the Red Death” performance in Edinburgh, Scotland.  Mark also earned his varsity soccer letter and worked at Noalmark Broadcasting. 

Fascinated with the Mars landing and intensely interested in robotics, Mark’s goal was to earn a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering.  He had been accepted to Grove City College in Pennsylvania where he planned to begin his studies.

Mark had a huge impact on the lives of those around him in his short life, and continues to do so through the memory of his actions in life, and through his gifts of organ, cornea, and tissue donation, as well as organ and tissue research.  His community has come together to honor him as they sponsor Mark on the 20th year of his passing as their floragraph honoree.