Mark Ashley Yoder
Mark Ashley Yoder, 45, passed away at his home on Tuesday, August 5th after a brief battle with colon cancer. He was born on February. 23, 1969 in Houston, TX to Donald and Sonya Yoder. Mark is survived by his mother, Sonya Ashley Yoder, sister, Kristy Yoder Guerra, brother in law, Richard Guerra and numerous other family members and friends. Mark graduated from Clear Lake high school in 1987 and attended The University of Southwest College. He was a lifelong resident of Clear Lake, spending a short time in San Antonio, College Station, and Lufkin with Outback Steakhouse. Mark had a 23 year career with Outback Steakhouse. During this time, he was involved in Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce, and supported countless charitable and children’s organizations. For the last 13 years, he was the Proprietor of the Webster, TX Outback Steakhouse, where he originally started on August 1, 1991.
He is remembered best by his friends and family as an avid golfer, gun enthusiast, sports aficionado, merry maker, and mentor. Mark was a warm, kind, and compassionate man. He was a mentor and guide to countless people whose lives he quietly touched and transformed. He always reached out to others in their time of need, putting his friends and family foremost. Mark had a quick wit and dry sense of humor. He was always full of practical jokes and fun. Mark had a unique ability to be both compassionate and practical in helping others overcome challenging circumstances and then supporting them as they moved forward. Mark was generous to a fault and lived life to its fullest enjoying every moment. Family was everything to him and nothing was more important to him than everybody gathering together for the holidays and special occasions. Some of his favorite times were spent with friends in Vegas, vacations deep sea fishing and playing golf.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 8, 2014 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Crowder Funeral Home, 111 E. Medical Center Blvd Webster, TX 77598. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2014 at 2:00 pm at Clear Lake United Methodist Church, 16335 El Camino Real Houston, TX 77062. Living plants and small trees are appreciated that can be planted in memory of him.
I’m sorry I never got to meet you. You were very important as a mentor and friend to my daughter who worked at Outback. God Bless you and your family.
No words can express how much you meant to me, how lucky I consider myself to have had you as my friend, or how much you will be missed. You were truly one of a kind, and will forever be remembered and cherished fondly. Thank you for everything you did for all of us, Mark. We love you!!
Mark was a gracious, kind and generous man. I will especially remember him for the time he took with the students at my school by showing them the daily operations for Outback and the lunch he provided.
After my husband died of colon cancer, I moved back to Houston with my 3 children, Katie, Robyn and Jackson Lorkovic. All three of them were given their first job by Mark. Mark gave each one of them inspiration and opportunities for growth, both personally and professionally. His “Outback Steakhouse” sponsered not only Jackson’s little league football team, but the whole league. He opened doors for them that would otherwise be closed. I appreciate all he did for each one of my kids and he will be greatly missed.
To the Yoder family.
I am sorry for your loss. May Mark’s soul rest in peace.