Mark Allan Ware

Mark Allan Ware 1949–2025

Saturday, July 12th, 2025, was not the first time Mark Allan Ware died. It was, however, the last. Right around the time he and his wife, Varya, would typically be considering a second breakfast, Mark took his final breath.

I know what you're thinking: Wait… he died more than once? Why? How? Good questions destined to remain unanswered and forever shrouded in mystery, because this isn’t one of Mark’s carefully crafted tales. This is his obituary which, by definition, is a public notice about who, what, when, and where not the why and the how.

Mark Allan Ware was born on August 20th, 1949, in Houston, Texas. Ten years later, he moved with his mother, Frances Elizabeth Ware (Betty), and sister, Linda, to Colorado Springs, Colorado. He attended Edith Wolford Elementary and graduated from Air Academy High School in 1968.

The first 20 years of his life, Mark was, admittedly, a “little sh*t.” Whatever that meant was ultimately squelched, in large part, by Tap Tapley—one of the founding members of the Colorado Outward Bound School. Tap took a liking to Mark, somehow set him straight, gifted him a handmade Bowie knife, and sent him on his way.

Creator and purveyor of the discreet Jasmine Street Backyard Farm, Mark was a prolific gardener with a twist—building a haven of contraptions for growing delectable tomatoes and melons, renowned leeks, and extremely contented chickens in the backyard. His cleverness also shined in his writing. His dry-humor style and take on the human condition smacked of Dave Barry or Andy Borowitz. His storytelling drew richly from his expansive vocabulary and 75-year lifetime of experiences exploring the world, and a 40- plus-year career in the lumber business.

Some may say that when a man such as Mark Ware dies, a library burns to the ground. Thankfully, vivid memories of Mark’s rich and varied experiences are held safe and will continue being shared by friends and family. As Mark’s favorite author, Patrick O’Brian, famously said: “Death ends a life, not a relationship,” and those special relationships that Mark nurtured throughout his life remain strong.

He is survived by his wife, Varya Ware; his sister, Linda Ware; his stepchildren, Liza Tudor and Jenkin Tudor (Brandy Lockhart); and his step-grandchildren, Grace Moos and Smith Tudor. He is also survived by his cats, Nancy and Merkin, and his desert tortoise, Smurt.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, dogs Mae and Roxy, and a number of cats—most notably Sergeant Garcia.

If you want to remember him, grow something with care, tell or read a tall tale, and whenever possible, feed the people you love.