Below is what some people have written about Mark Gilmer. If you would like to add something, please send to biblequiz@me.com. Thanks.
In Bible Quizzing Mark Gilmer was my fellow quizzer, then my coach and later we coached together. I remember early days when he had more physical strength and vitality which may have dissipated but his spiritual strength continued to grow. His influence over generations of quizzers will continue to be felt throughout their lives. My own life is filled with memories of our laughter together typically centered on quiz but we often talked about life in general, teaching, baseball. Those great memories are at the forefront of my mind.
Our prayer of support is for his family including parents Jimmy and Becky, sisters Wanda and Joy and their spouses and children. God please comfort them.
He was a champion quizzer and a champion coach – more than that he was my friend. Enjoy your reward Mark! Our sadness here is lessened by the knowledge of where you are now – without physical constraint or pain. I long to see you again.
Rob Laurens
I received the call about Mark’s home going shortly before going to bed. There was a picture that my mind kept playing with, an empty wheelchair. I could see it clearly—hauntingly. It kept reminding me of something I couldn’t quite place and then it hit me. The empty tomb. There was something about the empty chair that made me think of symbolism of the empty tomb where Jesus stepped from death in life.
That was it! Mark had stepped from being bound to immobility and a wheelchair to life. Vital, free-moving, life. It was if he were experiencing unlimited motion and joy. Beautiful to watch and wonderful to imagine as I fell asleep.
Sometime after midnight I was awakened with the opening line of “High Flight” running through my mind. I reached for my poetry book and though it had been a long time since I had read the poem, the words had been correctly recalled. “Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth.” Yes, Mark had slipped the bonds of physical limitation that bound him so tightly here on earth. He was free, free, free!
Although the poem was written by a pilot about flying, as I read further I was astonished at how the poem painted a picture of what I had been seeing in my mind.
“And, danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; . . . . . . and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of— Wheeled and soared and swung high in the sunlit silence. . . . . . .I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
I think Doug Black, from his description, and many others of you have been picturing the same thing.
I titled this, “A Life Well-Lived”, because that is what I always saw in Mark. It has been at least ten years since I first met him. Over the last hours I have been searching my mind and I can’t recall a single time he has indulged in self-pity in my presence. He would sometimes clinically describe his latest surgery that gave him extra ability to function, or laugh about setting off security alarms at the airport because of all the steel bars in him. But no self-pity.
Instead he gave his life to Teen Bible Quiz, and as Biblequiz.com said, changed the lives of many young people over the years. Most of the Nationals, he and his team, and his faithful father and helper friends would be there. When she could, his Mother came too. His determination to persevere and his family’s support turned what could have been a futile waste into a life well-live. He will always have a prominent place in the WOW Factor list. I salute each one of you!
So, Mark, I’m glad we had so much fun together at NATS 2010. I’m also thankful for those couple of times we expressed our affection and love for each other. I will always hear, “I love you too, Babe.” And I have lived in the south long enough to know “Babe” is a term of affection.
So dear friend, I will miss you greatly as will many. Anytime TBQers get together you will be remembered with love and admiration. But I won’t mourn you for all I will have to do is look up at God’s heaven and remember that now “you have slipped the surly bonds of earth” You are in the Presence of the King.
See you at the Throne.
--Ginny Carter
Mark Gilmer loved God's word. He lived God's word. He loved teaching young people God's word. He did not let physical ailments deter him from the task God had placed on his heart. When many would have given in or given up, he forged ahead. His legacy is one of disciples made and lives changed.Personally, Mark was a good friend. I have been trying, and I honestly can't remember the first time I met him. It's as if we were always friends, which is how it ought to be with Christian brothers. I was so glad to see his team win the playoff and qualify for Nationals in 2010.
Mark loved Christ, his fellow man, and especially his quizzers. His enthusiasm was infectious. Earlier this season he was telling me about the potential of the young people he was coaching, and how glad he was that they had the opportunity to quiz at Nationals.
Mark has had a long and distinguished history with National Bible Quiz Finals, appearing as a quizzer in 1975, 1976, 1978, and 1979 as part of the legendary team from Decatur, GA. In '76 and '78 they were crowned National Champions, and at least twice Mark finished among the top six scorers. He also coached at Nationals several years, placing at least three teams in the top three.
Mark was a great coach, a great friend, and a great man. Heaven's gain is truly our loss. My prayers are with Mark's family and many friends. Thankfully, we know that he is away from the body and at home with the Lord.
--Karl Dawson
I had a picture that stayed with me all night. I could see Mark running back and forth on the streets of heaven. He was skipping. He was jumping up and down. He was swinging his arms back and forth and swiveling his head around. I could hear him shouting, "Hey, Jesus, look! It doesn't hurt. I can move."While we are extremely saddened by Mark's death, this is what we prayed so much for. Mark is healed and healed permanently. He will never again have his body contained in a wheelchair. He will never again hurt. He has made it home.
The thought of never seeing Mark here on this earth again has me so sad that I spent much of the night crying. However, we need to be grateful for the time we had with Mark. My wife said last night that Mark sure made the most of the time he had here. I was very grateful; that one of the last things Mark was able to do was take his team to nationals. He lived for his kids and he gave everything he had to see them discipled in the Word. Few people know how much he truly gave for them. Time, money, effort, energy. It didn't matter what a kid needed to make it in quiz. Mark would see that they had it.
--Doug Black
God's Army is a little stronger with the homecoming of Mark Gilmer. What an awesome man of God! A great discipler of young people and the best at showing us all how to live our lives with faith and integrity. I only hope that current and future quizzers & coaches can have a fraction of your love of God and His Word! You have touched the lives of many (me being one for sure)! Enjoy running on the streets of gold!--Steve Fowler
Mark Gilmer, disciple-maker and a man of God, went to his eternal reward on July 21, 2010. He is mourned by family and friends from all over the country.I gained the opportunity to know Mark over the years through Bible Quiz, as many did. Most recently, many of us saw Mark at National Finals in Troy, Michigan in early July. Mark has always been an inspiration because of his selfless devotion and effort in discipling students through Bible Quiz, coupled with a relentlessly positive attitude despite the many obstacles he faced in life.
Even though our interaction was limited by time and geography, I will miss Mark greatly. I am rejoicing wtih him in the healing he has now received. He has most certainly "quizzed out positively" with a bonus that we can only imagine.
--Tim McDaniel
A great warrior, a wise teacher, a loving man, Mark Gilmer, has gone on to be with the Lord. He is now enjoying eternal bliss with no pain or earthly struggles. We know that heaven is all-perfect and lacking nothing, but it's hard not to think it's a little bit better with Mark Gilmer moving in. RIP Mark - rejoice in paradise.--Jimmy Sedam
Praying for the Gilmer family today, and missing a dear friend of many years, Mark Gilmer, who passed away last night.My first thought was of two multitudes mentioned in Hebrews 12...First, the thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly that Mark is now with and secondly, the great cloud of witnesses left here on earth - the hundreds and thousands of lives that Mark has touched in his many years dedicated to working with students and discipling them in God's Word.
To me this seemed very sudden and quick, and I guess a small part of me is glad that he didn't have to suffer physically for a prolonged period as he has had to do for most of his life, but still very shocked and deeply, deeply saddened at the moment.
Seth Sundell
--Seth Sundell
Mr. Mark Gilmer:It was my privilege to have been blessed by your life and to have called you friend. You touched the lives of countless people on this earth. The treasure and mansion awaiting you are immeasureable. I'm glad that at your last Nationals, you were able to see the south rise again--at least in BQ. You are remembered, brother. Peace be with you.
--Joshua Weber
Mixed emotions about the passing of Mark Gilmer. He is totally and completely healed REJOICING with our LORD! He will be missed here! Holy Spirit bring comfort to his family and all who KNOW him.--Michaela Lex
Mark Gilmer has gone on to be with the Lord…he discipled dozens of kids in God's Word. He's in a better place now, but he will be missed--James Lex
RIP Mark Gilmer, you are sorely missed. But Bible Quiz nation is thankful for all you've poured into us! Praise God that you're with him, and we'll see you again!--Ryan Albrecht
He was such a great man of God, and he really poured his heart into Bible Quiz and everyone involved. I think I can speak for all of Bible Quiz when I say that he will be deeply missed. He was one of the nicest people I've ever known. He never once complained about all he was going through. Now he gets to go where there is no more pain or suffering, and hear his Master say "Well done, my good and faithful servant." We love you, Mr. Gilmer.--Lucas Cox
We celebrate his life. He was an incredible man of God who displayed integrity through very difficult times and circumstances. Praise the Lord that he finally has his body back!--Michael Pearson
Praying for peace for the Gilmer family. It's been a really rought week for so many families that we know and love.--Sharon Laakkonen
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Mark Gilmer. You'll be missed, buddy.--Joey Bohanon