Mark Mallet Ades

Mark Mallet Ades In loving memory of Mark Mallet Ades, who lost his courageous battle with cancer on November 23, 2015. This gentle giant was born July 22, 1961, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When his family settled in DeRidder, Louisiana, he completed kindergarten through high school. A remarkable feat for an Army brat. He was confirmed in the First United Methodist Church of DeRidder and remained a lifelong Methodist. In high school, Mark played center for the DeRidder Dragons. When he went to Centenary College of Louisiana, he played both center and "the bench" for the Gents. He was a proud member of the 1980 TAAC Championship Team. You could always find family and friends cheering for # 55. A member and staunch supporter of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, he graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts in Geology. Having visited half of Europe before the age of five, Mark became an early victim of wanderlust. His work with Western Geophysical carried him from South America to the Far East, the Russian Arctic, and the Tropics of Africa and Indonesia. It found him fording neck-deep in Tanzania's aptly named Crocodile River. Hunkering down as Somali rebels fired machine guns overhead. Laying out seismic arrays in Laos where explosive ordnance disposal technicians cleared paths through unmarked mine fields. He quickly earned a reputation as a problem solver. He left Western to form his own geophysical consulting company, operating out of DeRidder. Next, he put his troubleshooting skills to work around the world, becoming a partner in Exploration Design Software. At EDS, he co-developed a method for analyzing seismic data with a bank of desktop computers in lieu of more expensive mainframes. This innovative technique caught the attention of Bill Gates, who extolled its broad application. Subsequently, Schlumberger bought the firm, and Mark worked there for several years. Five years later, he was hired by Microsoft. After leaving Microsoft, his entrepreneurial ventures ranged from high pressure pasteurized Perfect Fit Meals to oil and gas consulting in Nigeria. Before you think that Mark's life was all work and no play, think again. With his wife Josie and their son Matthew, they made the world their personal playground. Paris, Amsterdam, London, Andorra, Germany, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Costa Rica, all over Mexico, Italy, Central and South America and the Panama Canal. Of course, the continental United States and Alaska. Planes, trains, white water rafting, cruising the Caribbean, and driving the Autobahn, they did it all. And then comes his love of sports. His bucket list would make the most enthusiastic of fans salivate. Avid fans of the Houston Texans, Mark and Josie went to every home AND away game their first season, capping it off by going to the Super Bowl hosted in Houston. Mark visited almost every NFL stadium in the league, as well as the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Basketball, basketball, basketball. He really loved basketball. Whether college ball or professional ball, he watched it from home or went to the game. Cheering on the Houston Rockets, the Centenary Gents, or attending the Final Four, he was there. Baseball also drew his attention. Great seats at the World Series - the Astros were playing - or just a home game, Mark was a lifelong fan. Visiting several Major League Baseball stadiums was also something he checked off his "to do" list. Cooperstown was a big thrill. In Shreveport, he played outfield for "The Thunder Lizards" men's softball team. His love for sports did not end there, attending the Indy 500, Daytona 500 and various other races. He even watched golf and soccer. Mark is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Josephine "Josie" Ferrell Ades and son, Matthew Ferrell Ades of Houston, TX; his parents, LeRoy and Marcia Mallet Ades of DeRidder, LA; sisters, Leah Ades Cooper and husband Robert; Elaine Ades Clark and husband Rob; nieces, Emily Clark Machtinger and husband Noah; Megan Cooper Seidman and husband Huxley, son Vincent; Laura Clark Perri and husband Nik; Rebecca Cooper; Lizzie Clark Farmer and husband Adam. He is also greatly missed by his sisters-in-law, Deb Ferrell Lynn and husband Neil; Stephanie Ferrell Titcomb and husband Steve; Bryanna Ferrell Maddox and husband Johnny; nieces and nephews, Tom Lynn; Kathryn Lynn Edgeman and husband Clint, daughter Kathryn; Nathan Ferrell and Jared Maddox. A true man among men. Mark touched many lives throughout his much too short life. He never met a stranger, always interested in the other person. The many friends and family he left behind will miss him beyond words. He left us always with a smile and a laugh. A celebration of Mark's life will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2016, at 11:00 in the morning at Brown Chapel on the campus of Centenary College. Officiating will be Rev. Doug Cain and Rev. Dr. B. David Rowe. All are welcome to join Mark's family at a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, Mark requested that donations be made to the scholarship he was instrumental in establishing to honor his parents on their 50^th anniversary. The LeRoy and Marcia Ades Endowed Scholarship at Centenary College of Louisiana benefits deserving students from Louisiana. Donations can be made to the scholarship fund (Centenary College, 2911 Centenary Blvd., Shreveport, LA 71104 or https://safe.centenary.edu/give) or to a charity of the donor's choice.