William "Mark" Countryman Obituary (1954

William Mark Countryman was born on January 19, 1954 to Marvin and Frances Hopper Countryman. Mark "Fos" passed away on Friday, November 12, 2021 after a battle with cancer. Mark was Valedictorian of his graduating class of 1972 from Midlothian High School, where he served as president of both the MHS Band and Spanish Club, VP of the Student Council and a member of the Beta Club. After high school he attended the University of Texas at Arlington where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in 1976, Master of Arts degree in Mathematics in 1978 and Doctor of Philosophy in 1982. Mark retired from his 31-year career as a Professor of Mathematics at Louisiana Tech University in 2014. He taught many levels of math from developmental to Doctoral classes. While at Tech he was involved in procuring grants for many research projects as well as helping to secure scholarships and internships for many of his students while serving and chairing several education boards and committees for Mathematics, Electrical and Petroleum Engineering He had several papers published and co-authored with colleagues on other works. Throughout his life Mark was a member of several organizations and served on boards including National Beta Club, Alpha Chi National Honor Scholarship Society, American Mathematical Society, The Mathematical Association of America, Pi Mu Epsilon National Mathematics Honorary Society. He was a member of the Midlothian Historical Society and a board member of the Midlothian Cemetery Association. Most notably, he was a certified Skywarn Trained Observer for the United States Department of Commerce National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration of the National Weather Service. He was a member of the FUMC of Midlothian. He loved music starting at a young age playing the piano, he was a member of the MHS and UTA marching band. He enjoyed playing his guitar with his family and friends and taught himself to play the Mandolin and Bagpipes. He had a diverse taste in music and books. He read everything from cookbooks to the classics to how to fix his car. Mark was an avid researcher of ancestry and railroad/model train enthusiast. He was a fierce competitor in board, card or domino games. His heart was big, his knowledge of anything was extensive and he always had a story to tell. Mark was preceded in death by his parents. He leaves behind cousins Betty Countryman Moore (Bill), Dawn Moore, Lucas Moore of Burleson, Danetta Chapman of Cedar Hill, Jerrell Countryman of Dallas, Sarah Rosenfield of California and a host of friends near and far. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Midlothian High School Band.