Mark Allen Thompson, 55, of Austin, passed away October 5, 2022, when his heart gave out unexpectedly. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 14, 2022 at 3 p.m. at Harrell Funeral Home, 4435 Frontier Trail, in central Austin, with a visitation time for friends and family at 2 p.m. prior to the service. At the conclusion of the service, the family will be receiving friends in Mark and Scott's home.

Mark was born August 11, 1967, to Terry and Rita Jowers in Midland, Texas. After Terry's untimely death in 1972, Mark, along with his younger brother Tony, was adopted by Rita's second husband, John G. Thompson. The family lived in Dallas and Lake Jackson during Mark's childhood before settling in Abilene, where by this time, he had gained two more siblings, Glenn and Ginger. Mark's childhood was spent playing Little League baseball, participating in Boy Scouts, and spending summers at the family's lake house in Brownwood. He graduated from Cooper High School in 1986, surrounded by friends that he continued to remain close to for more than 35 years. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas. Because real estate had always been a lifelong interest, in 2006 Mark took the plunge and entered the field full-time, joining first Goodwin Partners and later Twelve Rivers Realty, where he was one of the "OG members." Mark served a term on the Austin Board of Realtors' Ethics Committee, and was a finalist for New Realtor of the Year in 2006. Connecting people to their dream home was a source of joy for him, and he always strove to go above and beyond in his work. More often than not, his clients became his friends.

In 2005, he met the love of his life, Scott Rubel ("Dr. No"), and subsequently in 2007 the "Ten Palms" era of neighborhood parties and "kid soup" in the hot tub began as they settled into their new home. Mark and Scott were married on August 20, 2013 in Barre, Vermont, and marked the occasion with yet another festive celebration with friends and family back in Austin. Nothing brought Mark more joy than finding an excuse to gather with people-for a meal, a party, a holiday, or just a glass of wine and a serving of french fries with his beloved assistant and good friend, Derrick. Mark was the life of the party anytime he entered a room and the go-to person when someone needed a good one-liner. He took special pride in posting his snarky memes on social media, and not a day went by that he didn't make someone laugh-often a complete stranger who then became a friend. While Mark was often known for his sense of humor, those closest to him knew him best for his big heart. His hugs were legendary, his love of children unmatched, and nothing lit up his face more than having a pile of happy youngsters crawling all over him in the pool. Except maybe a new car...of which there were 39 in his lifetime. Mark loved to travel, and he and Scott have many memories of the special times they spent together with friends all over the world. He was a wonderful uncle to his nieces and nephews, and went out of his way to stay in touch with the people he really cared about. Mark was intentional, generous, and sentimental. He was a force of nature whose sharp wit and big heart were one-of-a-kind; we will all miss him deeply.

Mark's parents, John and Rita Thompson, preceded him in death. He is survived by his husband, Scott Rubel of Austin; his brother Tony Thompson and wife Heather of Bastrop; his brother Glenn Thompson and wife Crystal of Lakeway; his sister Ginger Paty and husband Cody of Sweetwater; as well as his beloved nieces: Hannah Thompson, Kaitlyn Thompson, Claire Paty, and Meredith Paty, and nephews Gregory Paty and John Glenn Thompson II. Mark was close with his husband's family as well: his father and mother-in-law, Ed and Julie Rubel of Rochester, New York; his brother-in-law, Jeff Rubel and wife Dacia of Wenham, Massachusetts; and adored nieces, Charlotte Rubel and Kate Rubel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mark's memory to MD Anderson Cancer Research Center or Hospice Austin, two organizations that were dear to his heart.