My parents moved to Phoenix when I was in college with Ben, and traveling a lot during the holiday season could be tough. But the Garvey's always set a place for me at the table and welcomed me. Mark's sense of humor and good-natured scheming endeared him to me immediately, but it wouldn't end there. It will always be one of the most memorable places to have Thanksgiving, because it was where Mark introduced to me to fried turkey.

It may sound a bit trivial and corny to share a memory like that, but it was the first display of the kind of person Mark was that I witnessed....like a snapshot into his heart. Mark explained with great detail why a fried turkey was so good. He and Rita were very happy to share his home, and seemed excited at the prospect that he would be introducing something new to some one. Sure enough, it was delicious....one of the best Thanksgiving meals I ever had. And while the turkey was a highlight, it was the totality of the experience that really drove the whole thing home.

That was the first peek I received into his friendly and generous nature. I would be blessed to receive more of it as I spent time flying with him in the Piper and stopping by the Garvey home whenever we were in town, and will I always remember him fondly.