Mark Asher Nicholas, 82, passed away on March 17, 2010 in Spring, Texas.
Mark was born in Malad, Idaho on November 3, 1927, the third son of Dewey Nicholas and Relia Asher. Mark was raised and educated in Malad. He graduated from Malad High School where he lettered in football and boxing.
He served in the Army following the end of World War II and then returned to Malad to work on the family ranch. He enjoyed calf roping and participated in amateur rodeos.
He began dating Ruth Peel, a nurse at the Oneida County Hospital. They were married in the Manti, Utah temple on Feb. 21, 1951.
They moved to Montana and learned the economic challenges of being a farmer. Mark found work as an oil field hand in the emerging oil business in eastern Montana. His work ethic and desire to learn led to unimagined career opportunities.
Mark settled his family in Minot, North Dakota where he worked for 30 years with Portal Pipe Line Company. He was Vice President of Operations and led much of Portal’s expansion in the state. He was involved with pipe line construction projects in Alabama and Libya with Hunt Oil Company, part owner of Portal. Mark and Ruth lived 3 years in Yemen where Mark was Vice President of Operations and then General Manager for Yemen Hunt Oil Company. At the time this was the largest energy project going on in the world.
Mark was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as Branch President and District President. Mark and Ruth served a mission in Manaus Brazil and also served together in the Bismarck Temple.
Mark enjoyed skiing and playing golf. Skiing was an activity for the entire family and Mark continued to ski late into his 50s. Mark was part of National Ski Patrol, supporting the former Trestle Valley ski area in Minot. When Mark came to visit his children, the agenda included a round of golf and dinner out followed by a stop for ice cream.
Mark was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Wallace Nicholas, and great-granddaughter Maci Parker.
Mark is survived by his wife Ruth and four children, son Karl Nicholas and wife Karen of Simi Valley California; his daughter Jolene Parker and husband Wally of Spring, Texas; daughter Lynette Tylka and husband Mark of Salt Lake City, Utah and son Ken Nicholas and wife Lisa of Tomball, Texas. Mark and Ruth have 18 grandchildren and 10 great-grand children. Mark is also survived by his brother Ronald Nicholas of Pocatello, Idaho.
Mark had a soft heart and a willingness to help others in need. He left a legacy of hard work, dedication and service to God and a love of family.
A funeral service will be held at 2pm on March 27 at Horsley Funeral Home in Malad, Idaho. This will be preceded by a visitation from 12:30 pm-1:30pm.
In lieu of flowers, we welcome donations to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund (http://tinyurl.com/lds-pef).