Mark Edward Burget

Mark Edward Burget of Norman died December 31, 2022, at the age of 68. Mark was born February 11, 1954, in Wiesbaden, Germany, the only child of Carl Edward Burget and Mary Sue Burget. He spent the early part of his childhood in Madison, Wisconsin before moving to Amarillo, Texas. He graduated from Tascosa High School in 1972, where he played high school football. Beginning in the fall of 1972, Mark attended the University of Oklahoma, where he walked onto the football team. While attending OU, Mark met Elaine Pasque of Thousand Oaks, California. They were married on May 17, 1975, and enjoyed 47 years of marriage. During college, both Mark and Elaine were active in Young Life—a ministry focused on outreach to high school students—at Putnam City Original. Eventually, in 1985, they started Young Life in Norman, in which they remained active for the rest of Mark’s life.

In 1975, Mark graduated from OU, receiving his bachelor’s degree in accounting. He then received his CPA certification in 1976 while simultaneously attending the University of Oklahoma College of Law. Mark then graduated from law school and earned his J.D. in 1979. Thereafter, in 1982, he obtained his LL.M. in taxation from New York University. Following law school, Mark joined the law firm, McAfee & Taft, where he diligently served his clients across an array of practice areas for over 22 years. In 1998, he was named the Firm’s first-ever Managing Director, a role in which he served until 2001. It was at this point that Mark’s friend, Ken Mendenhall, asked him to join Search Ministries. After much prayer and deliberation, Mark left the practice of law and chose to make his love and passion for ministry his full-time vocation. In 2001, he joined Search Ministries where he faithfully served for the last 21 years of his life. Mark’s ministry was evidenced by his thoughtfulness and intentionality, as he shared the gospel by establishing meaningful relationships with those whom he interacted, whether that be during one of his many trips to Israel, a Bible study or open forum, or even during an interaction over a cup of coffee or a meal. In 2018, Mark was asked to serve as Governor Kevin Stitt’s General Counsel, and was honored to serve both the state and the Governor until he transitioned back to Search Ministries full-time in 2021.

Mark loved Jesus Christ with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength, and he loved his wife, children, and grandchildren more than life itself. Elaine was his partner in life and ministry for over 47 years. After years of being told they were unable to have children, they counted their five sons as their greatest gifts. To his sons, he was the best coach, counselor, mentor, and most importantly, spiritual father a son could have. As Poppie, he loved his grandchildren with his gentle disposition and tender spirit, never leaving any doubt he was their biggest fan in all they did.

Mark is survived by his wife, Elaine, his five sons and daughters-in-law, Bradley and Ashley, Brian and Taylor, Blake and Kristen, David and Shannon, and Matthew and Makenzi, and his fourteen grandchildren, Jane, Lottie, Bennett, Ford, Ellie, Quinn, Hallie, Evan, Piper, Wells, Boyd, Davey, Lucy, and another baby girl due in March. He is preceded in death by his parents. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Young Life of South Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 1515, Norman, Oklahoma 73070, or Search Ministries Oklahoma City, P.O. Box 156029, Fort Worth, Texas 76161-5029. A public viewing will be held at Wildwood Community Church, 1501 24th Avenue NE, Norman, Oklahoma 73071, on Sunday, January 8, 2023, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Memorial Services will be held at Crossings Community Church, 14600 N. Portland Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73134, on Monday, January 9, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., and will be available online at https://vimeo.com/event/2759160/b90a8b60a1.

To Mark’s friends, he would want you to know “since the day he heard about you, he never stopped praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Thank you to the most wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend for walking “in a manner worthy of the Lord, that pleased Him in all respects, and bore fruit in every good work, increasing in the knowledge of God.”

Family requests you send video messages and comments to Markburgettribute@gmail.com