Mark Lynn Howeth

Mark Lynn Howeth

8/22/58 - 8/22/26

Mark was born in Killeen, Texas, on August 22, 1958, to Donald and Azella Howeth. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Sharon and is survived by his sister Donna Howeth.

Mark was a devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, coach, mentor, and friend. He is survived by his beloved wife of eight years, Lisa Howeth; his sons, Jon Mark Howeth and Jake Howeth; his son Jeff Howeth and Jeff's wife, Morgan; and his grandsons, Jack and Henry. He is also survived by his stepson, Tyler Lackey, Tyler's wife, Amanda, and their children, Gwen and George; and his stepdaughter, Lauren Lackey, and her wife, Melissa.

Mark graduated from Burleson High School in 1976 before attending Austin College, where he was a four-year letterman in football and a three-year letterman in baseball. He served as captain of the football team and was inducted into the Austin College Athletic Hall of Honor in 2002.

After college, Mark devoted 44 years to coaching. Although he coached both football and baseball, football was his first love. Over the course of his career, he coached in numerous programs, learning from some of the finest coaches in the game and carrying those lessons with him as he developed into a respected defensive coordinator.

Mark was known for his extraordinary preparation. Even as technology changed the game, he remained faithful to his paper, index cards, and carefully crafted plans. His preparation was thorough, intentional, and unmistakably Mark. But his greatest gift was not simply his knowledge of football-it was his ability to connect with young men.

Through coaching, Mark taught generations of players the value of hard work, dedication, discipline, leadership, teamwork, and believing in the pursuit of excellence. He challenged them to become better athletes, but even more importantly, he encouraged them to become better men. The impact he made on his players reached far beyond the field.

Mark was part of four state championship teams: Denison in 1984, Duncanville in 1998, Highland Park in 2005, and DeSoto in 2016. These accomplishments reflected his commitment, expertise, and passion, but those who knew him will remember that his greatest victories were found in the lives he influenced.

Beyond the football field, Mark loved his family deeply. He treasured time with his children and grandchildren and was present for the moments that mattered. Mark's love for Lisa, his family, his friends, his players, his teammates, and those he mentored was evident in all that he did. He was a special force-a man of strength, passion, loyalty, and generous spirit-whose influence reached countless lives.

His legacy will live on in the lessons he taught, the players he mentored, the memories he created, and the family he loved so well. Mark will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.