Mark Macaron

In the early morning on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, Mark A. Macaron entered heaven. He passed away quietly in his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, after courageously battling with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease he fought with immeasurable faith and resilience. He is missed tremendously, and his love and example will never be forgotten.

Mark was born in Springer, New Mexico, on Tuesday, September 9, 1952, to Joseph Macaron Jr. (Colonel, USA) and Edna Koory Macaron. Mark grew up in Springer with his sisters, Kathy and Diane. He loved fishing the lakes and rivers and hiking and skiing in the mountains of Northern New Mexico, places he returned to often and held close to his heart his entire life.

Mark attended school from elementary through high school in Springer and graduated in 1970. Throughout his school years, Mark worked at the family store, Macarons Sooper Market, together with his father, his grandparents and his uncle. It was here Mark attributed learning to act with intention and with service to others, something he lived outright in everything he did. In 1970, Mark left Springer to further his education at New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) in Roswell, NM, where he graduated as class salutatorian with an Associate of Arts degree and then graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. From there, Mark felt a calling to continue his studies and completed law school at George Mason University in Virginia, after which he moved to Albuquerque, NM, knowing that he wanted to return home to take the State Bar and practice in his home state of New Mexico.

Upon admission to the NM Bar, Mark worked in Private Practice for a year and then clerked at the New Mexico Court of Appeals in Santa Fe, NM. Mark then worked at the Second Judicial District Attorney's Office in Albuquerque, NM. While working in the DA's Office, Mark joined the United States Army National Guard rising to the rank of Captain. Mark attended the Judge Advocate General's school at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia.

In 1986, Mark was elected to serve as a Judge in the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court. He took office Thursday, January 1, 1987, and worked there for 11 years until he was appointed and subsequently elected to the New Mexico District Court where he served as a Family Court judge and later a Criminal Court judge for over 10 years. After retiring from his elected judgeship, Mark served as a part time pro tem judge, fully retiring from the judgeship on Friday, December 31, 2021. Throughout his time on the bench and in every part of his life, Mark was conscientious and deliberate; he considered his work as a service for his community-an honor that he never took lightly often spending late hours working on cases and always arriving to work with the sunrise. In May 1985, Mark married Kim Benjamin of Albuquerque, New Mexico. They settled in Albuquerque and together raised four children. Mark lived his whole life with immense faith. He was a lifelong Christian, a member of the United Methodist Church and attended St. John's United Methodist Church in Albuquerque and others. He participated in and supported many Christian ministries throughout his life.

Mark loved to laugh and tell jokes. His was the brightest smile in the room. He loved watching and playing sports and spending time with his family. Most important to him, throughout every day of his life, Mark kept his eyes on the Lord, often saying that faith cannot come without full trust that the Lord was walking beside him. He lived this wholeheartedly, steadfast in his kindness, humble and prayerful, and fully present with his love.

Mark is survived by his wife, Kim Benjamin Macaron and their children; two daughters-in-law; and granddaughter: Kristian Macaron, Melissa Macaron, Mark Macaron II and Danielle Duff, Jason and Maricella Macaron and their daughter, Presley Macaron. He is also survived by his mother Edna Macaron; and his sisters and their families: Kathy Macaron and Dave Redding, Diane and George Drake and their children, Joseph and Priscilla Drake and their daughter, Isabella, and Jeff and Brittney Drake and their daughter, Lena. He is also survived by numerous family members, and close friends. A private viewing will occur for Mark's family. A Memorial Service will be held at St. John's United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 10:00 am and he will be subsequently laid to rest in Springer, New Mexico. His family is very grateful for your love, kindness and prayers.