Hello everyone, thank you for being here… My name is Devon & Brooke is my Best friend. I created this in hopes of raising funds to help ease a little of the stress from their family at their time of need. Please continue reading for more information. Thank you!
There’s a detail about my best friend that at first no one believed to be true. It also tells you everything you need to know about her father, Mark — he named her after a fish. Not just any fish. The Brook Trout. Because to Mark, it was the most beautiful thing in the world, and so was she.
That’s Mark. That’s the kind of man we’re asking you to help honor.
Mark Ecker was the kind of person who walked into a room and immediately started looking for a reason to make you laugh. He was funny and stubborn and young at heart in the way that some people just never lose — the kind of man who felt most at home outdoors, who found something sacred in the natural world and carried that with him. He lived by the values of the Native American ways, with a deep respect for life, nature, and the people around him. He loved his family and his friends fiercely, and he made sure they knew it.
He is survived by his three children — his eldest Erica, his son Brian, and his youngest Brooke — and he is preceded in death by his longtime girlfriend Pattie, the love of his life. Those who knew him take comfort in knowing he has finally gone home to her.
And then there’s Brooke — funny, stubborn, outdoorsy, and young at heart. Those who love them both will tell you with a smile that she is the female version of her dad, through and through. It’s written right there in her name.
Earlier this month, Mark was diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma. The cancer had already been spreading quietly before anyone knew it was there. He fought hard — but the disease moved faster. This afternoon, surrounded by love, Mark passed away peacefully at home.
Brooke was by his side every step of the way. She was his primary caregiver — the one managing his comfort, his medications, his needs, his moments. She never wavered. She showed up every single day with love and without hesitation, because that’s what you do for the person who thought you were worth naming after the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
Now the family must face what comes next. The funds raised here will go directly to the Ecker family to help with whatever they need in the aftermath — whether that’s funeral and cremation costs, daily expenses, or simply having one less thing to worry about during an unimaginable time. Every bit of breathing room matters when your world is falling apart.
If you’ve ever loved a parent, or been loved by one, you understand what this moment means. A small gift from you means Brooke, Erica, and Brian can focus on grieving their dad rather than the weight of what comes next — they gave him everything they had, and now it’s our turn to show up for them.
Please share this page. Every dollar matters. Every share matters. Thank you for showing up for the Ecker family and for Mark. He’s missed dearly!
