Mark Alan Waters, 47, of Sheridan, Arkansas died, Thursday. February 24, 2005 at Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was born September 4, 1957, the son of Wanda Waters Brainard and the late Donald E. Waters. Mark attended Our Lady of Good Counsel Elementary School and Catholic High School in Little Rock. He served 20 years in the US Navy and US Navy Reserve having received Naval awards for dedicated service and ranking of Senior Chief Boatswain Mate. He worked at the VA Towbin Healthcare Center in North Little Rock as Assistant Occupational Therapist, was Chief of Ico Arkansas Volunteer Fire Department and a member of Gavel Masonic Lodge 532. He volunteered as a youth baseball coach and in athletic programs for disabled children. Mark attended Holy Cross Catholic Church in Sheridan.

Mark loved children and life, was a wonderful son, husband and father. He enriched the lives of those he touched. He was a gift from God and he will be deeply missed.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his step-father, Dan Brainard.

Survived by his loving wife, Tina L. Waters and 4 children; Stephen and Dustin Johnson, Katy and Dan Waters. One grandchild, Haylea Waters. Seven brothers and sisters and their spouses; Karen and Frank Jackson, Michael and Robin Waters, Sharon and Michael Aureli, James and Carol Brainard, Dewey and Debbie Brainard, Eric and Teresa Brainard, Mia and Dave Kindall and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at 2:00 PM at St. Andrews Cathedral, 7th and Louisiana street in Little Rock with Monsignor Harris officiating. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Cemetery in Alexander with Military Honors and Masonic Rites. Visitation: 5-7 PM with a Rosary service starting at 7 PM, Monday, February 28, 2005 at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home,2686 Highway 167 North in Sheridan.

Pallbearers are Jimmy, Dewey and Eric Brainard; Michael Waters; William G. Graham, Jr. And Eric J. Anderson. Memorials may be made to the Hepatitis C Foundation or to ARORA. The family will gather at his home, 1037 Grant 56, Sheridan. Arrangements by Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan (870)942-1306. To sign the online guest-book, www.memorialgardenssheridan.com.