LaMark Bejer LaMark of Excellence —that was what he called his

LaMark Bejer LaMark of Excellence —that was what he called his company. LaMark hung works of art for many people. But he himself was a work of art, if not a piece of work. He was both a diamond in the rough and a perfectly crafted machine. LaMark’s life was marked with interesting contrasts. I first met LaMark about nine years ago at the Alabama Ice House. He was obviously a nice person. Everybody knew that. At first he was quiet. But he always smiled. But like a diamond in the rough you had to rub a bit to see the shine from within. Once you got to know him he never stopped talking. Before we were both Deacons, LaMark and I did a bunch of riding together. Right off the bat I loved his riding style. He kept up in traffic, but on the open roads he liked to drift back a bit. Sometimes so far back that I could barely make out his headlight. I called him the Distant Star. He and I both were interested in the Deacons. Al Arfsten was a regular here. He was my sponsor and I joined the Deacons first. Not long after, I got LaMark to come to a meeting. I was his sponsor. He wanted to belong to something. He was hooked. I am so proud of all my brothers that welcomed him into the Club. Like me, it did not take you guys long to get close to him. He loved you all. Wanting to belong was somewhat of a theme with LaMark. He did not have the best of a family life growing up. But he always thought of himself as a lucky guy. He did not have, as he would put it, a rich person’s education. But he was a diamond in the rough. He persisted. Through the pressure and hard work he built a shining business. His client’s are a Who’s Who of the rich and famous. But he never felt he belonged with them. I am not sure he ever knew how much he actually meant to them. The next time you are at the Gage Hotel in Marathon look around —
everything hanging on a wall is there, perfectly placed, because of LaMark. He was a hard worker and a perfectionist. LaMark owned a fleet of trucks. I once asked to borrow one of his vehicles to buy some televisions for my new house. Not only did he loan me the truck, he came along. He also helped me bring new furniture over and insisted on helping me get the pieces into my new house. I was amazed at how strong he was, lifting things I could not lift and telling me to “take it easy” and “that I belonged in an office.” He would not let me pay him. All he wanted was a home-‐cooked meal. He loved my wife’s cooking and also loved her and my daughter. That first night he was over he left telling me I was a lucky man to have such a great family. As he left he saw the artwork I had hung myself and said he would be back to straighten up my sloppy work. He was blunt but always followed a sharp comment with that coyote laugh. His laugh was more like a Schmedley giggle. When he came back not only did he help me hang the new stuff, he wanted to rehang all of my art. I had to be his helper. The only person worse at math than me was LaMark. He would measure a length, ask me half the value and when I did not answer fast enough he would bend his tape measure in half and mutter the number. I would think he must be off by a mile. But he would be spot-‐on correct. Like his math, he invented hanging methods that should be patented. In fact, I can never move now that he is gone, because I will never be able to get the art off my wall! But before anything was hung permanently, he always wanted to check with the boss, as he called my wife, to make sure she was happy. I think he knew he would get another home cooked meal. Which, of course he got. On the way out from every meal he would say, “John, you are a lucky man to have Laurie. You have a great family.” LaMark was fascinated by science and technology. The things that most of us never noticed were on his mind. Did you hear about the cooling suit idea? I did. All of the time. He loved to talk about his ideas. He was one of the first people to get the super bright LED lights for his headlight. One day at my house he noticed some art I did when I worked for NASA as an artist. He loved space and art, and in that order. He wanted to know more about what I did. He also wondered why I did not still paint. It always bugged him. He thought of me as an artist and I thought of how he hung art as artistry. Just a month ago I finished a painting and hung it myself. I chuckled to myself that the next time he was over he would want to rehang it. Now when I come home and see it hanging crooked, I am sure it is LaMark toying with me. I went on many trips with LaMark. Everywhere we went, he and I always shared a room. What an easy roommate. He and I also, no matter the weather, would find a swimming hole at our stops. He knew how to chill. He took the time to gaze at the stars. LaMark rarely asked for help. LaMark and I were at a stop light in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on the Lonesome Dove ride. We got separated from the main group. So when the light turned green I took off like a banshee catching the group just ahead. Once we all stopped, I was asked where LaMark was and I said, “you know, he is the Distant Star, he will be along.” But no LaMark. So Fish went back to find him. Darn LaMark’s luck. His drive belt snapped at the light. He would not of asked for our help and would assume we would ride without him. But Fish stayed in town for an extra day and took the scenic route to Amarillo the next day. With LaMark’s luck, he missed out on the treacherous sand trip that snagged Geoff Seaman, now known as Sandman, and he and Fish had a much more enjoyable trip. That is an example of how LaMark’s luck put him in a better place. The next day LaMark and I found the swimming pool in Fort Worth at the hotel and shared stories about how lucky he was to have a mechanical failure and avoided the sand pit. On that same ride Lambo had the idea to play Credit Card Roulette with every dinner and bar tab. All of us lost at least three times. Except for Lambo and, of course, Mr. Lucky himself – LaMark. I thank LaMark for so many great times together. I thank LaMark for making much of the art in my home hang straight. I thank LaMark for pointing out how lucky I am to have my wife and my daughter. His words will continue to ring in my head and to not take them for granted. He left his LaMark of Excellence on me. So now, I raise a Bud Light, LaMark’s premium beer of choice. The next time you gaze at the stars, one of LaMark’s favorite past times, imagine that one of those lights is LaMark on his Road King. His super bright LED headlight is not far behind. It is LaMark, the Distant Star. Make a wish upon that star. It is our brother not far behind. He has your back. I love all my brothers. I love you, LaMark — you will be missed!

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