MARK EDWARD HARRILL, 64, found peace after a lengthy battle with Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease on November 7, 2022, at Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living in Boone, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Chapel Hill and reared in Boone from the age of two, Mark proudly considered himself a mountain boy through and through. His love of the High Country was evidenced by his visionary approach as a developer of second home communities in the Boone area. His final project, Echota, was his passion for the last twenty years. There was not a tree, stream, or rock outcropping that Mark did not intentionally choose to honor as he carefully placed the condominiums, townhomes and single-family homes that brought immeasurable pleasure to the hundreds of families that chose to live there.

Whether in work or leisure, Mark threw himself all in. He thoroughly enjoyed life and loved to laugh; loud and often. His almost child-like sense of fun ran the gambit from mischievous to outright daring sometimes. He was both father and playmate to sons Jay and Brad. Whether waging war with high power water guns or running to Tennessee for a truck load of illegal fireworks for the annual Harrill July 4th blowout, Mark delighted in having fun with his family and friends. Mark's wife Missy of 31 years learned early on not to be surprised by the antics of her husband.

Mark Harrill lived and breathed basketball, especially college ball. He anxiously awaited the official start of basketball season. It is both ironic and fitting that Mark left this world on November 7th, opening day of the 2022-2023 college season. As a teenager, when everybody cheered for their NC teams Mark adopted Maryland as his team and convinced his buddies to do the same; a loyalty that lasted for decades. But nothing topped his love for App State basketball and football. He could not wait for the tip off and kick off of both sports. After learning of Mark's passing the App State Men's Basketball team dedicated their season opener to Mark and broke the university's record, scoring 142 points in his honor.

Mark approached life with total optimism and did not do anything halfway. His proverbial glass was not only full; it spilled over the brim with enthusiasm and enjoyment of life.

Mark was the son of James Edward Harrill and Lois Evans Harrill. In addition to his wife and sons, he is survived by his father of Boone, his sister, Myra Angel and husband Bob of Reston VA; his mother-in-law, Vicki Wilson of Chapel Hill, NC; his brother-in-law, Joe Wilson and wife Terri of Cary, NC; nieces, Lauren and Jacqueline Angel of Virginia; stepbrothers, Jeff, Eric and Neal Hunter and their families; Aunt Hazel Allen of Shelby, NC; and numerous cousins in Kentucky and North Carolina.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, November 10, 2022, at 10:00 O'clock, at Boone United Methodist Church. Reverend Ed Glaize will officiate. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel Wednesday, November 9, from 5:00 until 7:00.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Lois E. Harrill Senior Center or Mark E. Harrill Basketball Practice Facility at Appalachian State University.

Online condolences may be sent to the Harrill family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.