Mark Avra

Mark Alan Avra, 68 of Mount Ida, Arkansas, went to be with Jesus on August 31, 2025, while surrounded by love at home.

Born to Cleota Jean (Reece) Avra and Thomas Lee Avra of Norman on October 27, 1956, Mark grew up chasing cows, mowing and baling hay, swimming in the Caddo River, riding motorcycles, and playing basketball. At Caddo Hills High School, he was known for dunking the ball to score points on the court. To accomplish this, he wore three sets of ankle weights while working at Billy Charles Williams’ service station.

After graduating from Caddo Hills in 1975, he attended Rich Mountain Vo-Tech in Mena, where he completed the training program for building custom homes and commercial construction. For a period of time, he worked for Dillard Construction and Doug Partridge Construction before starting Mark Avra, Inc. in 1978. Glenwood Christian Church was his first independent project.

On April 28, 1978, Mark met Betty Rowland. They fell in love, engaged in July of the same year, and married on June 9, 1979. Together, and with the help of Mark’s dad, Tom, they built the underground house in Pineview Estates – the home both of their children, Whitney and Hayes, came home to. Later, they built “the white house”, adding a pool by hand that is now enjoyed by the grandkids and friends every summer.

Mark spent many years going to NASCAR races, traveling to Texas Motor Speedway and Talladega with friends, and celebrating his fiftieth birthday at the coldest Daytona 500 on record. He loved vacationing at Gulf Shores in the summer with his family and was always up for a weekend away at Branson. He made any excuse to eat ice cream, fudge, chocolate pie, or peanut brittle. One of his favorite things to do with the grandkids was wind the family grandfather clock on Sunday mornings. This quickly became a family tradition.

In 2016, Mark closed his business, retiring after 38 years. Over the course of his career, he built over 60 custom homes, two churches (including Faith Tabernacle, in Mount Ida), some commercial buildings, and completed too many remodels to count. He built homes for family members, friends, and strangers who became friends. Soon after retiring, Mark served as the treasurer of the Black Springs Cemetery Committee, a role he fulfilled with great pride. He was known for quality construction and the integrity of his craftsmanship, as well as his calm, quiet demeanor.

Living with Parkinson’s for 17 years, he was a pioneer in progressive treatments for the disease. He was a member of the inaugural class of Rock Steady Boxing, a physical fitness class designed for people with Parkinson’s, at First Baptist Church in Hot Springs. He was the third patient at UAMS to use a Duopa pump, a cutting edge treatment. Mark served on the Parkinson’s Advisory Board at UAMS with leading doctors in the field. These things gave him hope – hope for himself, hope for his family, and hope for others struggling with the disease.

Mark is survived by his wife of 46 years, Betty Avra; his two children Whitney Avra of Hot Springs, Hayes Avra (Destiny Avra) of Hot Springs, four cherished grandchildren Ariadne, Ellis, Esten, and Endee; his brother Ron Avra of Beaumont, Texas; his brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws Doyle and Johnette Rowland of Sims, Loyal and Margie Rowland of Sims, over 35 nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and host of many friends.

Pallbearers are Hayes Avra, Isaac Summitt, Shannon Rowland, Jason Walden, Jeremy Ray, Perry Allison, David James, and David Prince. Honorary pallbearers are Doyle Rowland, Loyal Rowland, Ron Avra, Galen Kitchens, Ed Barnes, Jodi Bissell, Jerry Don Wheeler, Gerald Abernathy, Caddo Hills Class of 1975, Rock Steady Boxing Dream Team, and Mount Ida Class of 1977.

Visitation will be Tuesday, September 2, 2025, 5 to 7pm at Thornton Funeral Home in Mount Ida, AR. A celebration of life will be held at Faith Tabernacle in Mount Ida on Wednesday, September 3, at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be at Reed Cemetery in Story. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Rock Steady Boxing in honor of Mark Avra, First Baptist Church, 2350 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901. Arrangements under the direction of Thornton Funeral Home in Mount Ida, AR. Guest register at www.thorntonfh.com