Marcus Neal Williamson Jr.

Marcus Neal Williamson, Jr., 65, passed away at home in Laurel, Maryland, on June 30, 2024 with his loving wife and children by his side. He died after a devastating diagnosis of glioblastoma.

Mark was born on September 16, 1958 in Jacksonville, Florida to Marcus, Sr. and Roberta Williamson. His family later moved to Titusville, Florida where he attended South Lake Elementary, Oak Park Elementary, Madison Jr High and graduated from Astronaut High School in 1976.

He was preceded in death by his father, Marcus Williamson, Sr. Mark is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Abby, his mother, Roberta, siblings Sue (Jay) Gorday, Julia (Paul) Pavese, Paula (Stephen) Cunio, John (Karin) Williamson, and Frank (Patricia) Williamson.

Mark’s children include Tatiana (Itzik), Paul, Marcus, Sophia, Akheil (Meagan), and Griha (Matt).

Mark’s beloved grandchildren are Michael, Raphael, Ari, Ashok, Kamal, and Mohan.

Mark was a devoted uncle to Joey, Phillip (Talitha), Tristan (Janell), Joshua (Jeni), Jared (Libby), Taryn, Rachel (Michael), Sarah, Jack, Kate, Emma and Veronica.

His great-nieces and nephews include Brodrick, Augustine, Sawyer, Jazlyn, Tanajua, Jordan, Michael, Destiny, and Alexis. Mark has one great-grand niece, Zailyn.

Mark was an Eagle Scout, bicentennial class of 1976 and an inspiration for his younger brothers to also become Eagle Scouts. He was a three year letterman on the Astronaut High School Swim Team, and had a paper route with his younger siblings. He was a scuba diver, fencer, City of Titusville chess champion, and an amateur mechanic. He rebuilt his father’s Fiat convertible for use on the paper route. He worked at Disney World as a lifeguard. Mark loved reading sci fi novels.

Mark enlisted in the Navy in 1977, completed basic training in Orlando, and foreign language training at the Defense Language Institute of Monterey, CA. He served active duty for seven years with duty stations at Guantanamo Bay, Key West, and Fort Meade, MD. He remained in the Naval Reserve for another 30 years, retiring at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. Mark received an associate's degree from the Florida Keys Community College, a bachelors from the University of Maryland, and a law degree from the University of Baltimore.

Mark was an employee of the Federal Government, first as a Naval officer and then as a civilian serving with the Department of Defense, with total service of 46 years. He was deeply respected for his knowledge of federal sector law and policy, his work ethics, and his dedication to training and mentoring the future generation of colleagues.

Mark was a polyglot and an intellectual with an insatiable curiosity. He enjoyed researching myriad topics from naval battle history to arachnology, was a voracious reader and a lover of classical music. He had a deep understanding of human physiology and was an avid exercise enthusiast and competitive swimmer well into his adult years.

Mark was generous, thoughtful, and kind. He was a wonderful partner and husband, an exemplary father, a brother loved by all his siblings, a devoted uncle and grandfather, and a faithful son.

After Mark and Abby found each other, they were rarely apart. Their love of children and family was demonstrated in frequent gatherings featuring groaning tables of food, lively conversations board games, and whiffle ball. Mark was always ready with a joke, funny story or myriad facts and figures on everything from leaf blowers to Roman mythology.

Mark’s children and grandchildren were his largest source of pride and accomplishments; his love for them boundless. He took great pleasure in being an active and present parent and always found a way to bring joy to every day childrearing.

This from his oldest: “Daddy was a kindhearted person who was a gentle giant, with a soft spot for children and his family. He was a man who saw many things and his life shaped his views and actions. At times his considerations and his outlook of things would sometimes baffle his surroundings, but he always had a reason for doing things and always looked forward to helping and doing good for others if he knew he could help.” - Tatiana Sharon

He remained strong and resilient throughout this ordeal of a disease, never giving up and always focusing on his immediate and extended family. He remained loving to the very end, always reaching out to hold one’s hand and give it a comforting squeeze. Other than the release of his suffering, there is no consolation in his death. Mark’s passing is a profound and irreparable loss to his family and community.