Mark Anthony Crain, 63

Mark was born February 18, 1961, in Butte, Montana, to Eugene H. and Sharon A. Crain. He grew up in Butte and Whitehall surrounded by cars and heavy equipment - his father was a mechanic and fabricator. This led to his love of cars. He was also extremely creative and artistic. Most of his life was spent pursuing ways to utilize his talents. He was a talented airbrush artist doing everything from paintings and signage to customizing car paint jobs. He also dabbled in the remodeling of homes as well as a nail salon or two – he loved to design spaces.

He graduated from Whitehall High School in Whitehall, Montana, and attended Montana Tech in Butte for a short time.

Mark came from a large family with 13 other siblings. He married Audrey Weyer, and they welcomed their son Farren in 1985. They later divorced. He then met and married Kim Schadler (Lunsford) and welcomed his second and third sons, Zane (1994) and Zachary (1999), to complete his family. They moved to North Carolina to be closer to Kim's family – he remained there until his death. He and Kim later divorced, but he remained close to his sons and was very proud of them.

His son Farren, his mother Sharon, and his father Eugene preceded him in death. He is survived by his sons Zane and Zachary, grandson Tyler (Farren), stepmother Sally Crain, brothers David, James (Glenda), Chris Quinn (Krissy), Robert (Roberta), Joseph (Kirsten), John (Shayla), Don (Megan), sisters Kym Vonada, Angela Leonardo, Wendy (Tim) Smithen, Lisa (Robert) Nance, Bobbi Jo (Dylon) Caballero, Sally Gene (Jake) Schuff and numerous nieces and nephews. He also had a special relationship with his birth mother, Cleo (Kallio) Violette, throughout his adult life.

Mark will be remembered for his easy spirit, creativity, and love for his boys and grandson.

"Dad, you have always been a true inspiration to me no matter what life threw at you – even when you knew things were bad, you still held your head high, and you will always be my hero."

We love you so much. Rest easy, Dad – Give Farren a hug for us. Forever in our hearts.

Knott's Funeral Home in North Carolina is responsible for funeral arrangements to be held on April 26th at noon.