Mark Fite

Mark Everett Fite, born January 18, 1924, the youngest of six children, to Joe and Dora Fite at their family farm in Nunley, Arkansas, died September 4, 2016. He was married for over 67 years to Patty Sue (Hensley) from the nearby community of Eagleton, Ark. Mark and Pat have three children and five grandsons. They have made their home in Athens since 1969.

Mark joined the Navy in 1943 and over nearly 30 years he served as a sonarman during WWII, graduated from the University of Arkansas and Golden Gate Seminary, then served as a Chaplain until his Navy retirement in 1972. He served aboard several ships throughout the Pacific and Arctic oceans and with his family at many locations to include Korea, Hawaii, California and ultimately here in Athens at the Navy Supply Corps School. After active duty in the Navy he completed additional academic work at the University of Georgia and became certified in Clinical Pastoral Education. Over the next three decades he worked for the state department of offender rehabilitation, pastored at Crawford Baptist and Arnoldsville Baptist Churches, and served as supply and interim minister for many more. He was also active in a variety of roles with the Boy Scouts starting in 1961 in the Far East Council (Korea) culminating with his service in the NE Georgia Council. In 2008, he completed 30 years as the Chaplain for employees and patients at St Mary's Hospital. Mark lived the principle set forth in Philippians 4:8.

He is preceded in death by his three brothers and two sisters and his first grandson, Mark. He is survived by his wife Pat, his three children John, Beth, and Nathan, and four grandsons Lee, Adam, Jack, and Henry. Visitation is at Lord and Stephens West on Wednesday 6-8pm; the funeral service is at Athens First Baptist Church on Thursday 2pm; the military honors and committal service is at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton on Friday promptly at 11 am. In lieu of flowers or similar gifts, donations in his honor may be made to St Mary's Hospice, PO Box 6588, Athens GA 30604.