Obituary of Mark Kilcup

Mark Eugene Kilcup was born in Tacoma, WA on July 16, 1961. After two and a half years of battling cancer he finished his faithful journey home to heaven. He peacefully passed with his family by his side on October 13, 2018 at his Renton home. He lived a life fully devoted to serving Christ. This was evident in the way he loved people from all walks of life, formed relationships, and how he truly cared for their souls. Without fail, he considered every acquaintance a new friend. Through his childhood Mark enjoyed being outdoors. Whether getting dirty or causing mischief in the woods, he was always trying to keep up with his older brothers. They would build forts, swing on trees, shoot BB guns, ride their bikes, get chased by dogs, play basketball, and work on local farms through the summer. He later became involved in school sports. He was the speedy man, playing short-stop and point guard. When he was nineteen, Mark met his sweetheart at a Christian camp in California. He spent the week leading worship with his guitar at the nightly campfire, while subtly eyeing Patti. The two cultivated this relationship by sending letters back and forth between Washington and Ohio. They finally tied the knot two years later. They spent 35 sweet years together as best friends, celebrating this past May with a vow renewal ceremony, witnessed by their children, grandchildren, and church family. Being a family man, he shared his love of fishing, camping, hiking, road tripping, boating, and skiing. Of course, as the kids got older, Mark was always eager to partake in any hobbies the kids threw his way - unicycling, rock climbing, wakeboarding, or flying trapeze just to name a few. Fishing would always be one of Mark’s favorite past-times though, especially when sharing the river with his sons. Hawaii was a place Mark really enjoyed spending his vacations. Mark was a man blessed with many talents. His carpentry skills could be seen throughout his home, his green thumb could be found in the bounty he offered neighbors from his gardens, his culinary skills constantly had friends inviting themselves over for dinner, he could pick up any instrument and play anything by ear-seriously, and his spontaneously singing of eclectic song lines never ceased to embarrass the kids when their friends would come over. He started and became proficient in many things and moved on, but the one thing he never lost his passion for was spreading the gospel. In the business world, Mark worked at the Boeing Company. He finished his 22-year career as a project manager before leaving to pursue God’s ultimate calling in his life: pastoral ministry. He had earned his Master’s in Divinity at Western Seminary while working full time. He was called to pastor East Renton Community Church and did so for the past 11+ years. He poured his time, energy, and heart into this calling. He couldn’t imagine a better job than being able to carefully study the Bible all day to accurately preach the word each Sunday. He loved discussing theology with anyone who would engage him. Mark is preceded in death by his father, Alan, and his brothers, Dale and Mike. He is survived by his wife Patti, along with his sons Wil (Megan), Rob (Meg), and Chris (Randi); daughter Laurie, grandsons Cruz, Leo, and Jasper, mother Eva, brother Terry (Jackie), sister Cindi (Dan), and sisters-in-law Pam and Marti and numerous nephews and nieces. Donations in memory of Mark can be made in lieu of flowers to: Cannon Beach Conference Center P.O. Box 398, Cannon Beach, OR 97110 (800-745-1546) please write “in memory of Mark Kilcup” in the memo. Thank You.