On July 3, 2022, Mark Alan Scharlin passed away, surrounded by his family, after a short but tough battle with thyroid cancer. He was born on May 31, 1960, to Herbert Gerald and Miriam (Lax) Scharlin in Long Beach, California. He grew up smack in the middle, the only boy with two older sisters, Ruth and Julie, and two younger sisters, Shelly and Lori, and we all adored him. Mark was so loved by his family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. His smile lit up any space and his beautiful hazel eyes drew you in and connected you right to him. From an early age, he had a wonderful sense of humor, always ready with a joke or impression, and keeping everyone laughing.

 

Mark loved sports and played basketball, baseball, tennis, and golf throughout his life. He was a tennis pro for a time after high school, and a lifelong Lakers fan. Mark worked in sales for much of his career, and always made friends with those he worked with. 

 

The most important thing in Mark's life was his son, Brandin, born in 1985 when Mark was 25 years old. Mark dedicated his life to raising Brandin and ensuring he knew he was loved and valued. Mark went to every one of Brandin's games and coached many of his teams. Brandin grew up close to his Scharlin family relatives, with a special bond to the Kramer clan. He and Brandin were a dynamic duo – a very close team. In May, as he was navigating his cancer, Mark was thrilled to know that Brandin had gotten married to his partner, Leticia, and that they were both doing well. 

 

When not working, Mark spent many hours doing what he loved: golfing. No matter how hard the work week, he savored his Sundays on the course with friends. Bobby and Katie Lackey, Mark’s very best lifelong friends, were his favorite golf partners, as well as going to concerts and other adventures with them and their family. They had a truly special friendship and bond that lasted for more than 50 years. He said what they had together was a bond that could never be broken. 

Mark also enjoyed hanging out at his neighborhood Cigar Bar with his local friends. He loved living in Belmont Shore, eating at Nick’s on 2nd, and meeting up with Dan and Pam Dooros for happy hour at The Boathouse on Alamitos Bay. He loved coming home after a long day to sit on the sand and soak up some sun.

 

Family was paramount to Mark. He was the best brother and son in the world. He never missed an opportunity to be with his sisters or parents, and he loved his nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cousins so much. He was like another son to his dad's partner, Marian, and was a “brother from another mother” to her children, Cindy, Michael, and Sabrina.

 

Mark was preceded in death by his mother, Miriam Lax Shepas. He is survived by his son, Brandin (Leticia) Scharlin, his father Herb (Marian Levitt) Scharlin, sisters Ruth (Don) McDonald, Julie (Dave Wolf) Scharlin, Shelly (Alan) Kramer, and Lori Scharlin, his nephews and nieces Jason (Sachiko) Kramer, Megan (Israel) Ramirez, Josh (Neftali Morales) Kramer, Jana (Jake Smith), Kramer, Sam Alkana, Clare Alkana, and Jack Alkana. He also leaves great nieces Rylee and Ellie Smith, and great nephews Logan and Gabriel Ramirez. 

 

Mark's death has left a huge void in all our lives. But he shared his last wish with us and said: "throw a big party and tell funny, happy stories and laugh. Laughter is my legacy." We will do just that: celebrate and remember Mark through the sharing of laughter, stories, and precious memories on Sunday, September 4, 2022 in Rancho Mission Viejo.

 

Our mom always had a little saying for her children and grandchildren, and it was Mark's as well. In his last note to us, he ended with, "I love you all to the moon and back." Mark, we love YOU to the moon, and  beyond, forever and always in our hearts.