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May 30, 2003

*Special* Mark Alan Wagoner (1971-2003)

MARK ALAN WAGONER, 31, died instantly on May 28, 2003 in Denali National Park, Alaska as a result of a tragic plane crash.

Mark was born in Alamance County on September 23, 1971. In the short span of his life, Mark's passion for adventure and indelible zest for life profoundly impacted those around him. He loved to share his excitement of the outdoors with others.

Mark attended Alamance County Schools from kindergarten through the tenth grade. After leaving Southern Alamance High school in 1987, he attended and graduated from the NC School of Math and Science in Durham in 1989. While in high school, Mark attended the NC Governor's School-East in mathematics and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Mark scored 1580 on the SAT and was accepted at NC State University where he was a National Merit Scholar, a Caldwell Scholar, a member of the NCSU Fellows Program, and a Rhodes Scholar nominee. Mark graduated Summa Cum Laude with B.S. Degrees in Electrical Engineering and Physics from NC State in 1994. Following graduation, he was employed by Proctor & Gamble in Browns Summit, NC from 1994 to 2001. Mark returned to college in the fall of 2001 and recently graduated on May 10, 2003 with a Masters in Business Administration from Duke University.

Mark was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed mountaineering. Some of his major accomplishments include National Outdoor Leadership School training in Alaska, certified Wilderness First Responder, and Instructor with Colorado Outward Bound. Mark led technical climbs on Mt. Ranier in Washington, Mt. Hood in Oregon, and Chimborazo in Equador. He remained an active participant with the NCSU Fellows Program and helped led several annual mountaineering trips for students to Colorado, Wyoming, and California.

Mark was preceded in death by two grandfathers, Leroy E. "Pete" Wagoner and Clarence Fogleman. He survived by his fiancee, Rebecca Roberge, of Cincinnati, OH; his parents, L.E., Jr., and Rachel Wagoner of Snow Camp, NC; his brother, Todd and wife, Yumi Wagoner of Pittsboro, NC; two grandmothers,
LaRue Wagoner of Snow Camp, NC and Helen Fogleman of Burlington, NC. Mark is also survived by six aunts; seven uncles; and 17 cousins.

The funeral service will be held Tuesday, June 3, 2003 at 3 p.m. at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, in Kimesville conducted by Dr. Charles Adams. Visitation is Monday, from 6-8 p.m. at Rich and Thompson Mortuary in Burlington. Interment will be held at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church
cemetery following the service.

The family is deeply appreciative of all acts of kindness, food, cards, prayers, and support. As a tribute and as a celebration of his life, a memorial fund has been established in Mark's honor with the NCSU Caldwell Fellows Program. Donations may be sent to: NCSU Caldwell Fellows Program, Attn: Mark Wagoner Memorial Fund, Box 7316, Raleigh, NC 27695.

See also his Alumni Profile from the Caldwell Fellows program.