Butch Marmon
When Don
and Barb spoke to the golfers at the Golf Tournament, they mentioned that they were not the first ones to know Mark's
cancer had returned. Mark looked first to the person whom he trusted, respected and knew he would receive guidance from..Butch.
It is doubtful that many people when confronted with the news Mark had just been given to him by Dr. Tan, would first think
to call their boss. Mark called Rich at Fairview and told him what was happening and he needed to talk to Butch. He barely
had hung up the phone with Rich when Butch immediately called him. Mark was certainly emotional and didn't know what
to do next, not knowing how he felt or if the job he loves was over. Butch talked to Mark his entire drive home, assisting
Mark with his fears. He offered to help Mark tell his parents the news Mark knew would devastate them. There is
absolutely no way to convey to someone gratitude for being there when one's child is afraid. Butch is our voice
of reason when we cannot think straight and has been in the hero mode for the DeWalle family ever since the nightmare restarted.
Tim Watkins, Manager Golf Discount South County
Mark, as well as his family, has a special place in their heart for Tim Watkins. Tim is the manager of Golf Discount's
South County location. Mark started out with Golf Discount at this store and frequently states that Tim taught him nearly
everything he knows about the golf industry and besides being a mentor, is a great friend. With Mark's initial cancer
diagnosis in 2003, Tim was the first person outside of the family to learn of Mark's problem. He immediately became
a source of strength, support and many times refuge for Mark. In early January of 2007, Mark did not tell Tim for
five days....Tim was on vacation and Mark was adamant that he not be told. On the day before he went into the hospital Mark
had an email sent to Tim to call Barb....Mark could not face telling Tim the news himself. Once he knew that Tim had
been informed, Mark immediately wanted to see him and was taken to the store. Tim immediately stepped up and gave Mark the
same support he had three years before, taking him out to lunch an assuring him that he could beat this again. In hindsight,
Mark would have benefited those five long days before informing Tim as he would have had his support even then. Tim
is always just a phone call away when the family feels Mark needs company or a pep talk.
Michael Bernal
During the first few days of learning of Mark's
recurrence, several times he told his parents to "call Michael, tell him what is going on." Michael was one
of the first to lend support when Mark first went into the hospital. He was always available and on several occasions
waited for long periods of time while Mark had procedures done. Michael was the one who encouraged Mark to move to Memphis...and
allowed Mark the chance to live away from home and start fresh. He continues to give Mark support by being not only
a boss, but also a friend.
Brian Howard
Brian recently came
on board to the Golf Discount crew as the Vice President of Operations. He has been very gracious and supportive of efforts
to hold Mark's golf tournament. Mark is eager to get well and get back to work and show Brian just what he can do
at work.
