Mark Edward Smith, 63, passed away unexpectedly on February 13th, 2023. In his 35 years as a marriage therapist, business owner, and prolific author, Mark changed the lives of thousands of individuals, couples, and families. Mark's loved ones will remember and honor his tremendous love of playing basketball, visiting the beach, cheering on his beloved Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Pirates, and playing double deck euchre with his family.

Mark was born on June 17th, 1959 in El Paso, Texas into an Air Force family. He was the 2nd of 7 children. They lived on several military bases across the country, as well as in Germany, before settling in Kokomo, Indiana.

Mark was a 2 year varsity letterman at Kokomo High School. He was the starting forward on a highly rated Kokomo WildKat basketball team. He went on to play college basketball at a Christian school, Taylor University. Mark was a follower of Jesus and loved the Lord.

He was later a key member of the Hefty Hoopsters, a streetball team with his brothers, which won numerous Gus Macker and Hoop It Up tournaments across the United States. He was often unguardable and didn't hesitate to tell the opposing team that with his sharp, trash-talking wit.

Mark received his Masters of Social Work in 1987 at Michigan State University, going on to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Mark founded Family Tree Counseling Associates in 1989, serving as Director through the time of his passing. His passion and thought-leadership gave Family Tree its solid foundation and it became a leading therapy practice in the Indianapolis area. Mark helped clients survive trauma and adversity in life and in marriage. What made Mark so very effective and truly world class was his firsthand experience with many of the challenges his clients faced.

Mark was dynamic; while he was 6'2", an avid rider of Harley Davidson motorcycles, had many tattoos, and always sported a gold chain necklace, one of Mark's unique attributes was his emotional attunement and sensitive spirit. He loved writing poetry and therapeutic-focused content to help others. He found joy in the little things, and his friends and family will remember his booming, jolly laugh.

Mark married Lisa Lehe in 1981 and they had 3 children. After divorcing 26 years later, Mark always said that Lisa was the person he respected most in this world and that marrying her was the best decision he made in life.

Mark is survived by his children: son Jarrett (MK), daughter Taylor, and daughter Jordan (Devin), his siblings: Chuck (Mary), Sam (Lalaine), Sarah (Mark N), and Elizabeth, 39 nieces and nephews, and his best friend Fred. Mark is predeceased by his father Samuel Francis Smith, mother Virginia Patricia Towne, infant sister Lisa, and sister Renda.

In memory of Mark's life work surrounding mental health, honorariums can be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). A celebration of life will be held on July 1st, 2023 in Indianapolis.