ROWLETT, Texas - Lt. Col. Mark Allen Petrick, 56, of Rowlett, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 6, 2009, after a courageous battle against the debilitating disease of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.

He was born on Dec. 30, 1952. Mark spent his formative years in Iron Mountain/Kingsford, graduating from Kingsford High School in 1972. He graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science from Northern Michigan University followed by earning his master of arts from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo.

Mark served his nation in the United States Marine Corps for 28 years and was recognized as "Officer of the Year" in 1985 for the USMC Reserve. A natural protector, Mark was the director of security for Texas Instruments from 1983-1990.

Long a fixture in the Rowlett Community, Mark owned and operated Pecan Creek Preschool with his wife, Linda Lou Petrick. Prior to Pecan Creek, Mark and Linda owned Children's Treehouse and Country Club Treehouse in Garland. Texas.

A gifted athlete and outdoors man, Mark ran marathons, bow-hunted across the country and enjoyed countless holes of golf with his dear friends. He especially enjoyed visiting family and friends and hunting in the Faithorn area.

A loving father and grandfather, Mark is survived by his wife, Linda of Rowlett; his daughters, Tangela Althea Petrick of Rowlett and Alanda Aune Petrick of Dallas; his granddaughter, Kate Carmen Campbell of Rowlett; his siblings, Bonnie (Ken) LeGrave of Faithorn, James (Donna) Jafolla of Sheridan, Wyo., Michael (Margaret) Petrick of Iron Mountain, Robert (Shelley) Petrick Jr. of Kingsford, Greg (Margie) Petrick of Faithorn and Jeff (Paula) Petrick of Vulcan; his cherished aunt, Carmen Baldrica and his dear cousin, Bob Baldrica, both of North Palm Beach, Fla.; his dear aunt and uncle, Fritz and Arlene Rolfsmeier of Appleton, Minn. and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mark was preceded in death by his mother, Natalie Baldrica Petrick, his father, Robert L. Petrick Sr. and his step-mother, Ruth Harding Petrick.

Visitation will be held at the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. with the funeral service to follow at 10 a.m.

Military graveside services will be held at Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain after the funeral service.

Mark will be deeply missed and forever loved. A memorial fund is being set up for Organ Donation Awareness and Assisting Families of Organ Transplants.

Condolences to the family of Mark Petrick may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home with the funeral arrangements.