Mark Tenniswood

Mark Arthur Tenniswood, 49, of Odessa, Texas, passed away on Sunday, February 21, 2016, just east of Junction, Texas.

A service celebrating the life of Mark Tenniswood will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 28th at First Christian Church at 601 N. Lee Avenue with Pastor Joe Weaks officiating.

Mark was born in Roseville, Michigan to Donald and Kathleen Tenniswood on October 19,1966. He went to school at Bethlehem Lutheran, Lincoln Jr. High, Roseville High, Kalamazoo High and Denton High schools. He graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachleor's degree in Theatre. He "Maui'd" his partner Shannon Rusnack in a private ceremony on July 1, 2008 on Paipu Beach in Maui, Hawaii. He worked as the Manager of Print Services for Office Depot. His lifelong career was theatre as an actor, director, producer and playwright. He directed well over 100 productions in his career. He founded Mark 10 Productions in order to provide theater experiences that would not otherwise be produced. His productions earned critical and audience acclaim. He attended First Christian Church and was a member of the Odessa Council for Arts and Humanities Board of Directors. Mark was previously an officer of Greater Odessa Rotary Club and was awarded the Outstanding Club Newsletter for District 5730 for his "Early Bird" publication. While working at Office Depot, Mark frequently received recognition awards for quick and efficient customer service and ensuring that customers were happy. Most recently, Mark was awarded, "Trailblazer of the Year" for 2015 by West Texas Talent for his Mark 10 theatrical productions. Mark was well known for his theatrical talents, selflessness, generosity, kindness, his pun-or-walk sense of humor, amazing loving heart and spirt, beautiful blue eyes and world-renowned hugs.
Mark simultaneously died with his dog, Sasha Underfoot, who was more like his daughter than a pet.
Mark is preceded in death by pet dog Rosencrantz, Melita and Steven Papovich, Russel and Mae Tenniswood, uncle David Tenniswood, aunt Ollie Matheson, cousins Leila and George Hodge, and Lyla and Donald Matheson.
Mark is survived by his partner of fifteen years, Shannon Rusnack; brothers Donald Tenniswood Jr and Teddy Tenniswood; parents Donald Tenniswood Sr and Dr. Kathleen Tenniswood-Powell; step-father Larry Powell; and step-mother Venus Munoz-Tenniswood. He is also survived by aunt Diane Papovich, Robert and Sandra Papovich, Darlene and Dr. Kenneth Valazovich; Laurie Papovich; Regina Ihns; Steven Papovich; Stefani Godsey; Jessica Balazovich; Jacob Papovich; Janell Smith; David and Cory Papovich and other cousins as well.
Flowers may be sent to First Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may also be made in Mark's name to First Christian Church, Odessa Council for the Arts and Humanities as a 501c(3) non-profit, or your favorite theatre or local establishment that supports theatre and the arts in your community. For Sasha, donations may be made in her name to the Odessa Humane Society or your local Humane Society/No Kill shelter.


Sincere thanks are given to First Christian Church, the nameless citizens who stopped to render aid to Mark and Sasha, and to his family, and extended family and friends across Texas and throughout the country. He will be missed beyond what is possible to express in words.
to sign our online guest book please go to service@martinezfuneral.com

Service

Celebration Of Life

First Christian Church
601 N. Lee Avenue
Odessa, TX  79761
Sunday, February 28, 2016
2 P.M

Memorial Contributions

Odessa Council For The Arts and Humanities as a 501c(3) non profit
P.O Box 7195
Odessa, TX  79761


Odessa Humane Sociiety
7012 W. Mockinbird Ln.
Odessa, TX  79763