Mark Andrew Smith

Mark Andrew Smith, 46, passed away on January 1, 2018 in San Jose, California.  He was born in Atlanta and spent his youth in North Georgia. Mark was the son of Joseph B. Smith and Patricia Wheeler Smith of Lumpkin County.  He is also survived by his two loving children; son, Mason Benjamin Smith; daughter, Charlotte Summer Smith, both of Saratoga, CA; and his sister, Jennifer Johnette Smith of St. Marys, GA.  He loved his children with all his being, and they were his highest priority in life as he proved and demonstrated time and time again.

Mark served his country during Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia and Iraq as a U.S. Army paratrooper serving as combat signaler with the 18th Airborne Corps Artillery deployed from Fort Bragg, NC.  After military service with multiple honors, medals and decorations including the prestigious parachute badge, he enrolled at Arizona State University where he received his B.S. in 1996.  Subsequent to graduation, Mark worked in as a software engineer with major technology companies in Silicon Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Mark was a dear and true friend to many, and highly regarded as honest, dependable, and considerate.  The testimony of all these friends and work colleagues affirmed the genuine strength of his character, deep personal empathy, integrity, and sincere human compassion for others.   Mark will be laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery in  Canton, GA with full honors.  A memorial will be held on Saturday, February 17 at the McDonald- Dahlonega, GA Funeral Home with visitation beginning at noon, and the memorial scheduled for 1 p.m.

Arrangements by Dahlonega Funeral Home