From DAY ONE, Mark was a supporter of my book project.
I arranged to purchase some El Rey Club ashtrays from him—perfect examples of two great styles at a time when the market was great.
He asked me to write him a piece for his website about the place which i did, still owing him a decent sum of cash.
Over the years we spoke often. He learned more of the stories in the book before the world did.
He sent me cash to purchase an extremely rare, likely one-of-a-kind El Rey Club gaming artifact...just because I was the guy to own it and I didn't have the money at the time. He never asked for repayment of any kind.

That article I wrote...still on his site. He also waived the remaining amount of money I owed for the ashtrays. he did this because he believed in saving Nevada gaming history and loved that I was giving the proverbial sh!t about a nothing town like Searchlight and a little-known place called the El Rey Club.

I know he ruffled a lot of feathers among the collecting community from time to time, but he will always have my highest respect and admiration.

I never met him in person.

I never got him his copy of the book.

I am so profoundly sorry for his loss you cannot imagine.

Rest in Peace, Mark. YOU were there from day one. I'm sorry I failed you.