Mark Skipper

Mark Anthony Skipper, aka “Mark and Lisa,” was born Friday, August 14, 1964, in Mariana, Arizona, to LeRoy Jr. and Margaret Skipper. He was the oldest of two children. Mark accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized under the leadership of Reverend William R. Haney, at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, Detroit, Michigan. Mark’s faith was his anchor. He was a member of Creative Church, Maple Grove, Minnesota, under the leadership of Pastor Jonathon Brozozog.

Mark attended elementary and middle school in Detroit, Michigan. In 1978, the family moved to Columbus, Ohio. Mark was a proud graduate of Northland High School, Class of 1982. There, he was a member of the Cross-Country team and various other school activities.

Mark’s initiative and enterprising spirit were apparent at a young age. He had amazing artistic skills and drew beautiful family chalk portraits. Mark furthered his education at The Ohio State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Art History. Mark was also a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.

After graduation, Mark moved to Muncie, Indiana, to work for the Boy Scouts of America. He then relocated to Maple Grove, Minnesota, where he was employed as Director of Fundraising at Dunwoody College of Technology. Mark’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to own MAS Office Cleaners. He was also the CEO of Speak Better Than Your CEO. Mark was a contributing writer for the Plymouth City Newsletter, in Plymouth, Minnesota.

Mark was very involved in the community. He was the President of the Maple Grove, Minnesota, Business Network International (BNI) Club; a member of TicTalkers Toastmasters Club; and continued involvement with the Boy Scouts of America.

One of Mark’s passions was public speaking. He participated in and won numerous speaking contest. Mark’s winning “Power of a Hug” speech sent him to the World Championship of Public Speaking in Vancouver, Canada, in 2017. In addition, Mark was passionate about traveling, with the goal of visiting all fifty states.

Mark had a contagious smile and loved family. He organized family reunions for the Skipper and Randle families. He was instrumental in the monthly Skipper Family Zoom calls.

Our beloved Mark A. Skipper entered eternal rest on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. He was fifty-eight years of age. Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and LeRoy Skipper Jr. He leaves to celebrate his life: son, Lamont Pitman of Columbus, Ohio; daughter, Kennedy Skipper of Westfield, Indiana; sister, Lisa Skipper of Reynoldsburg, Ohio; special friend, Debra Love of Houston, Texas; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives, and dear friends.