Obituary: Mark Douglas Yax (May 23, 1964-Aug. 24, 2009)

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wed. Sept. 2, 2009, in front of the administration building at Pelican Bay State Prison.

Mark was born May 23, 1964, in Fullerton, Calif., a son of Anita Louise (Rubin) and Thomas Alfred Yax.

He was raised and educated in Southern California. Following graduation from Chino High School, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served honorably.

Upon discharge, Mark took employment as a correctional officer at San Luis Obispo (CMC) where he worked until 1989. He was then selected to join the activation team at the newly built Pelican Bay State Prison, and rose to the rank of Associate Warden, a position he has held since 2006.

He married his soulmate Julia Gwyn Hart on July 10, 2006, at St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Mark was well liked and respected by his co-workers, and was instrumental in helping to create and implement policies and procedures at Pelican Bay.

He was a quiet, humble, fair-minded, hands-on leader, and a loyal friend. Most of all, he was a wonderful and loving husband to the love of his life and a great stepfather.

In his leisure time he played guitar in his local band, “Sonic Dementia.” He loved playing with the guys.  He was a huge St. Louis Rams fan, and also liked to travel.

Mark leaves behind his wife Julia; stepdaughters Shelbi and Chelsea Reisinger; sister Michele Coultas and her husband Kelby; son James Yax; daughter Megan Yax; nephew Shawn and stepnephew Kyle.

He was preceded in death by his mother.

Memorials in his name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1303 Northcrest Drive, Crescent City, CA 95531.

(Submitted by Redwood Memorial Chapel).