Mark passed away unexpectedly at the age of 17 on December 15, 2007 in Vancouver, Washington. He was born in Portland, Oregon on January 3, 1990. He attended Summit View High School and expected to graduate in 2008, with plans to go on to college next year.

Our beloved Mark was a quiet and unassuming young man, but loved by all who took the time to know him. He possessed a powerful intellect, and took an interest in many subjects from astronomy to philosophy. He was driven to understand the world around him. He participated in Science Olympiad at Maple Grove Middle School and Prairie High School in the areas of flight, rocketry and astronomy. He was a passionate reader and a gifted writer who had plans to become a journalist. He was committed to the prevention of cruelty to animals of any kind, and was an unwavering vegan because of his objection to the treatment of food animals. Mark was an avid computer gamer who took great pleasure in achieving the highest levels in many online games. He knew computers inside and out and was planning on his first job being one working with computers. He also loved astronomy and enjoyed sharing the heavens with his friends and family, from the rings of Saturn to the craters of the moon.

Mark loved music, and he listened to many different genres - but metal was his first love. He was also an accomplished wakeboarder, spending many happy hours on Lake Merwin and Prineville Reservoir, cutting it hard and catching air. Mark leaves behind his father, Robert and his mother, Karen, and his brother, Kai. Other survivors include his step-mother Julie, his aunt Janis and his stepsiblings Sammi, Amanda and Elliott. He also leaves his grandparents, Doris, George, Virginia, Sylvia and Roger. He was preceded in death by his grandfather Jim. Many, many other family and friends knew and loved Mark. He will be sorely missed.

Mark attended Space Camp in 2001 at 12 years of age and had an awesome experience. The Mark James Potter Memorial Scholarship is set up by his family to allow a deserving young person to have a simil