Mark McMahon

Mark McMahon

January 20, 1962- February 11, 2026

Mark McMahon was born on January 20, 1962, in Orange, Texas, to Jerry McMahon (1939–2015) and Peggy Kindred McMahon. As the son of a U.S. Navy serviceman, Mark spent his early years living in both Virginia and Texas, experiences that helped shape his adaptability, discipline, and appreciation for community. The family eventually settled in the Songwood subdivision of Northeast Houston, which Mark would always consider home.

Mark attended R.P. Harris Elementary and Elbert E. Furr Junior and High School in Houston, where he excelled academically and athletically. Known as “Red” on the football team, he maintained friendships with his former football teammates throughout his adulthood. While an early teen, his best friend, John Lawhorn, led him to Christ. He graduated with the Class of 1981, already demonstrating the leadership, determination, and strong character that would define his life.

In May 1984, Mark began his distinguished career with the River Oaks Property Owners as a patrol officer then finishing as Captain. Over the course of 41 years, his integrity, professionalism, and steady leadership earned him the respect of colleagues and residents alike, culminating in his promotion to Captain before his medical retirement in 2025, leaving with the title, “The Legend”. River Oaks was more than a workplace—it was a community Mark genuinely cared for and faithfully served.

After only six weeks of courtship, Mark married Karen Kay Gulley on September 19, 1984, beginning a lifelong partnership built on love, loyalty, and shared purpose. In 1990, they welcomed their daughter, Amanda Keeley McMahon, who became the center of Mark’s world. The family made their home in Sugar Land, Texas, where Mark balanced the responsibilities of career and family with pride and devotion.

In 1996, Mark and his family moved to New Ulm, Texas, where he embraced a quieter pace of life while continuing his commitment to River Oaks. He found deep satisfaction in working with his hands and took great pride in craftsmanship, especially in woodworking, carpentry, and home renovation. His most cherished accomplishment was the complete renovation of a historic home in Sealy, Texas, which became his final residence and a lasting testament to his patience, skill, and vision.

Mark was also a dedicated member and held many positions in the Masonic Lodge and was a member of the Scottish Rite fraternity, achieving the distinction of 32nd Degree Mason and maintaining over 30 years of membership with the Bellville and Houston Masonic Lodges. He served in numerous leadership roles at both the local and district levels, living out the values of service, brotherhood, and integrity throughout his life.

Beyond his professional and civic commitments, Mark embraced life fully. He loved traveling and had visited more than 50 countries, playing the guitar, listening to rock ’n’ roll, cooking for family and friends, spoiling several dachshunds, discovering new restaurants, and taking on projects that allowed him to create and improve the spaces around him.

Mark was a proud and devoted grandfather to Weston Ford Simms-Elias and Winslet “Winnie” Palmer Simms-Elias, finding great joy in their lives and futures, and father-in-law to Dylan Simms-Elias, in which he enjoyed a great friendship.

Known for his kindness and approachability, Mark truly never met a stranger. He was respected and loved by his family, his coworkers, his community, and all who had the good fortune to know him as he was everybody’s “best friend”. Mark McMahon lived a life marked by purpose, generosity, craftsmanship, and love—and his legacy will endure in the many lives he touched.

Mark is preceded in death by his grandmother, Florine Glover Kindred, his father, Jerry Paul McMahon, numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles, in which he remained close. He is survived by his mother Peggie Nell McMahon, his wife Karen Kay McMahon, his brothers Michael Kevin McMahon and Brian Paul McMahon, his daughter Amanda Keeley McMahon Simms-Elias and her husband Dylan Simms-Elias, their children Weston Ford Simms-Elias and Winslet Palmer Simms-Elias, his Uncle Jerry Kindred, his nephew, Johnathan Rodriguez and his wife, Jennifer Rodriguez and their children Jerry Brooks Rodriguez and June Rae Rodriguez, and numerous first cousins he remained close with during his life.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the

Shriners’ Children Hospital.

or to the

Scottish Rite Foundation