Marcus Leon "Mark" Valentine of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died late Wednesday evening, May 15, 2013, at his home in Blackwell at the age of 71 years.

Marcus Leon "Mark" Valentine was born on November 7, 1941, in San Diego, California, to Claude Everett and Earline Marie (Cook) Valentine. They later moved to Northern Oklahoma where he attended elementary school in Lamont, Oklahoma, before moving to Tulsa where he graduated from Central High School in 1960. He furthered his education by attending the University of Tulsa for two years. He began his banking career while in college at First National Bank and Trust and later 4th National Bank in Tulsa. He married Billie K. Reynolds in 1963 and to their marriage two sons were born. In 1972 he moved to El Paso, Texas, and began working for American Bank of Commerce before helping to formulate Continental National Bank where he served as Vice-President and Cashier until June of 1979. While in El Paso, Mark was very active in the American Institute of Banking as both a chapter officer and an instructor. On November 16, 1980, he married Vetrice Lee Jackson Ponder and her two sons, Billy and Bryan Ponder. Following their marriage they moved to Rio Rancho, New Mexico, where he worked as Sr. Vice-President for First State Bank until January of 1985. While in Rio Rancho, he was active in organizing a new Civitans chapter and serving as its first president. He also served as a district officer for the Boy Scouts of America. In 1985 they moved to Oklahoma City and he began working for the FDIC as an investigator. After transferring to the Dallas area, they resided for the next twenty years in Frisco, Texas. Following his retirement in 2005, they moved to Blackwell to make their home. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell and served as Sunday School teacher for the Harmony Class, president of the United Methodist Men's group and on various other committees. He also served as a valued volunteer for the Blackwell Regional Hospital. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

He is survived by his wife, Vetrice Valentine of Blackwell; two sons, Marcus Tosh of Tulsa and Bryan Tosh of Tulsa; two step-sons, William L. Ponder Jr. and wife Lisa of Eagle, Colorado, and Bryan D. Ponder and wife Jeri Sue of Elk River, Minnesota; a brother, Phillip Valentine and wife Tina of Langley, Oklahoma; a sister, Claudette Flora and husband Richard of Fishers, Indiana; nine grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 20th in the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell with Rev. Pam Cottrill officiating. Burial will take place in the Mt. Olive Cemetery in Nardin.

Honorary casketbearers will be Larry Davis, Lowell Rodgers, Don Spruiell, Lawrence Angle, Gary Fultz and Les Chriestenson.

Memorials have been established in his honor with Hospice of North Central Oklahoma and the American Cancer Society in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.