Mark Lain Gandre

Mark Lain Gandre had a bigger purpose on earth that we can comprehend. He gave more than we could ever possibly give him. He was granted his golden ticket to heavens gates a few months after his birth – December 4, 1980. Unexpectedly he cashed in his ticket June 6, 2022, with his family by his side.
Mark was born to Terry and Gilda Gandre adding a fifth yet very special child to their family. Marks disability had the ability to put smiles on people’s faces, make hearts burst with love and all those feel goods that make your insides tingle. He had the ability to bring people together in service, to remind us of family, love, giving back, acceptance, patience, and remind us that the simple things are usually the most important things. He reminded us that even in times of adversity there is beauty. Mark’s footprint, his legacy had impacted more people that we could possibly list and thank.
We all know, there were things that he couldn’t do. He couldn’t walk, sit up, feed himself, he couldn’t speak full sentences, he couldn’t play with other children, all those necessities had to be provided for him, things that other people take for granted every day. When some people looked at him, that’s what they saw – the things he couldn’t do. But that’s not what we saw, and that’s not who he was. When we looked at him, we seldom saw what he couldn’t do. No, we saw the many things he could do. He could smile. He could laugh. He could feel unbridled happiness. He could love without condition. He could show his love without ever saying a word. Not everyone has those abilities. He could get an entire room laughing over someone “letting one loose” in the room.
There are people who have so many blessings that Mark never had, and yet don’t appreciate those blessings. They have good health, yet they take it for granted. They can walk but they don’t know which way to go. They have arms but they can’t use them to reach out to others. They can speak but they don’t know how to tell others they love them. That wasn’t a problem for him. He could express his love with a look, with a smile, a word here and there. He could even express love by showing who he felt comfortable with because he knew his family / extended family would be there. Love isn’t only shared through words. Love is much deeper than words.
There were more things he could do. He inspired others to try harder by seeing him work hard to overcome his own challenges, it reminded others to work harder as well. He helped teach us about our own strengths and gifts in this way. He also taught us how to be happy because he took joy in simple things – joy in seeing his family, joy in watching his BYU football games, listening to music with his headphones, hearing him sing all the primary songs, watching any sport with loud noises and yes even hearing his nieces and nephews get in trouble from time to time brought him joy.
We could look to him for an example of perseverance and inner strength, as he continued to fight battles in health and limitations that would crush many of us. He showed us what it is to be strong, because strength is not just found in being the biggest, the toughest or the fastest. Strength is found in one who keeps on going, keeps trying, day after day, long after others give up. Strength is found in one who knows success isn’t always big and flashy but knows that sometimes the greatest success is found in the tiniest of victories – the simple things. In this way, he was a hero – just like his family who also kept on going, day after day, through the best times and through the hardest times.
Just think of all the gifts that Mark gave us. Through his vulnerabilities he gave us the gift of insight and showed us things we might otherwise have missed. He helped us to see the beautiful souls of his family and the extended family that he gained over the years – the ones who bore most of the caretaking tasks, day after day, month after month. It is a special kind of dedication that enables people to put their own lives on hold so they can do everything possible to care for their loved one. It shows a deep, unrelenting love for a person to say, “If you need help, I will help you. If you cannot talk, I will be your voice. If you cannot stand, I will support you. If you cannot walk, I will carry you. I am here for you, and I will stay with you through it all.” That’s just what Marks entire village did, and it’s what so many families do for their loved ones every day.
Mark gave us the gift of perspective. He reminded us that most of our problems are not really problems, and to be grateful for what we have. We must savor the sweet, beautiful moments we have every day, because ultimately life is fragile and someday all too soon, we must say goodbye.
He taught us about kindness and patience, because it took a lot of love, patience, and dedication to care for his need’s day after day. To nurture someone so completely, and to do it for so long, takes a dedication and depth of love that is hard to comprehend for those who haven’t done it. It is truly loving
without condition, and it is perhaps the most beautiful and pure example of love that exists. He made that kind of love exist. He made it possible.
Mark gave us the gift of unconditional love. Unconditional love is loving even when it hurts, even when it’s not easy. It’s loving because you simply can’t help but love. And that is the greatest triumph of any life. To love and be loved. And Mark taught us how to love without words, without limits, without reasons.
And finally, Mark gave us the gift of beauty. His life wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t glamorous. There were a lot of hard times, for him and for his family and friends. But he taught us that we can see past the difficulties and find the BEAUTY IN LIFE, for there is always BEAUTY.
Mark changed people, with his magnetic energy everywhere he went and every person he met. Mark just made you better, better all around.
While his family and his village are deeply saddened by his passing there is joy. Joy for now he can walk and run as fast as his now functioning body can. There will be no more getting sprayed with food when he burst out laughing at dinner. Trust us there is a lot of joy in that. He can now tell everyone how much he really hated olives. That itch he couldn’t get to he can now scratch. He can tell those in heaven all his fond memories. He can share every thought his mind and feeling he is experiencing. More important he can watch over us to make sure that we continue his purpose to provide service to others, to love deep, laugh hard and cherish life, more importantly finding beauty.
He left his hero, best friend and father Terry Gandre, his sister “Nanny” Lynnette Gandre-Perez, his favorite always there – brothers Chuck (Amy) and Paul (Tricia aka “Sha”), his sister Cindy, Nephews – Nico, Kameron, Donovan, Gavin, Sean and Trey, Nieces – Adrianna, Kylee, and Lily, extended family, and friends behind. He is reunited and giving his mom Gilda, Grandparents – Lain, Donna, Frank, and Merle the biggest loves possible.
His family would like to thank the Cottonwood 5th ward, his teachers, and staff at Harvison school, his UTA bus drivers, the entire staff and extended family at Danville, along with everyone else who spend countless hours supporting him and his family. We are so grateful for sharing a piece of you and your life with Mark. Thank you for your love, dedication, and support. Thank you for being our village.
 
Private family services to lay our angel Mark to rest will be held. Take a moment each day to find life’s beauty, extend love, kindness to those around you.