Mark Austry, RIP

A lifelong athlete, Mark Austry finished Sunday’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in Dallas in 1:47:39 — then suddenly collapsed and died. This shocking, devastating loss must come as quite a blow to his family. Mark leaves behind a wife and two daughters, ages 3 and 1. Especially hard hit is his brother, Mike, who had suggested that they run the half-marathon together. “It’s hard to acknowledge it, but I think he did it because he loved me, because he wanted to spend some time on something he knows I do,” Mike told NBCDFW.

Mark was, by all accounts, the picture of health. A former college and semi-pro baseball player, he held the course record at his local country club. He was the last person anyone would ever expect to die this way — a poignant reminder that none of us knows God’s appointed time to call us home, and running, like anything, has its risks.

He was also, according to those who know him, a devoted husband and father. “Most of the people who know him can’t emphasize enough what ... a family man he was,” says Mike in the Dallas News. “His life was centered around his wife and children. He never deviated from that devotion.”

Mark’s funeral will be held Friday at St. Ann Catholic Church in Coppell, Tex. Let’s all join in praying for the repose of his soul, as well as for the consolation of his family. Donations to a fund for his daughters can be sent c/o of Britt Harper at Edward Jones Investments, 120 Southeast Ave. B, Seminole, TX 79363.

May the souls of the faithful departed,

through the mercy of God,

rest in peace.