‘He was the light of the family’: Youth coach and trainer LaMark Williams died at 35

When LaMark Williams was young he learned early on in life that nothing was more important than family. For Williams, family meant more than blood relations.

Throughout his life Williams was known as a protector, who encouraged greatness in everyone he met.

Williams, a youth coach and mentor, died June 27 from complications from an unknown heart condition. He was 35.

Caleb Gunn (who’s biological sister shares a father with Williams) says that though the two didn’t share genetics, the bonds of brotherhood couldn’t be stronger between them.

“That is my brother,” said Gunn. “We grew up together. He was the person in the family who was there for whoever, whatever and you could call him for anything.”

Gunn says that he and the family are still shocked and saddened by the unexpected loss of one of the most significant pillars of support they had. He said his brother had complained of chest pains and went to the doctor where he was told it was due to respiratory issues from bronchitis. According to Gunn, three days later his brother experienced a burst heart vessel that doctors were not able to repair.

Gun thought that Williams was the model figure of health and physical fitness. He said Williams was a lifelong athlete who had been involved in sports from a young age, playing baseball and basketball. Williams carried that love of sports into his adult years.

Though he had a full-time job working for Johnson Control, in Riverside, Missouri where he assembled seats for Ford pickup trucks, and worked part time as a personal trainer, his true passion was the work he did with children.

Combining his history in sports with his health and fitness background, he knew he could impact the lives of many young people in the metro area. He formed the Monstars basketball team and became affectionately known as “Coach Mark.”

“He was a sports addict and when he had kids he saw there were very few leagues in the city for kids and wanted to use sports to teach those boys how to be men,” Gunn said.

Williams held basketball camps and helped kids build their fundamentals in basketball while engaging them on a one-on-one level.

Gunn believes that Williams learned life skills on the basketball court and wanted to pass on the knowledge to the next generation. Though he is deeply saddened over the loss of his brother and best friend, Gunn said he is proud to know that hundreds of young lives were affected by Williams’ influence.

Williams loved sports and coaching, but Gunn says that what Williams loved most of all was being a father. Even though he was very busy with work, training, and coaching, Williams always made time for his three sons.

“Nothing made him happier than being a father for his three boys,” said Gunn. “Our childhood wasn’t the greatest so he always worked hard because he wanted his kids to have a better life than we had growing up.”

Gunn says Williams also played a major role in his success in life. It was Williams who helped Gunn, a part-time photographer, to open his own photography studio and then used his connections with photographers in the area to help Gunn build clientele.

“Without him pushing me I don’t know if I would have my own studio,” Gunn said. “Mark always wanted to see people shine and see his people grow and be successful.”

It wasn’t until after Williams’s death that Gunn started to grasp the extent of his brother’s impact. He remembered the heartfelt posts from former teammates, fellow coaches, parents, and past players who acknowledged the significant loss for the world of KC youth sports.

Gunn knows that though his brother may now be gone, the lessons he taught will live on in the people he called his family. He said that knowing that Williams touched the lives of everyone he encountered with his kind and loving nature, assures him that his brother leaves a legacy, not just as an athletic mentor but also as a teacher and leader.

“My brother was the most unselfish person I knew,” said Gunn. “He loved to make people smile and he had a strong personality with a genuine soul. He was the light of the family for sure.”

He is remembered by his wife, Myia Williams; children, Marschaun Williams, Mariyon Williams and Mylan Williams; siblings Monica Henderson, Brian Henderson, Jenetta Payne, Joshua Payne, Akila Maberry, Keia Burks, Michael Williams and Caleb Gunn; along with a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Other remembrances

Dominick Turner

Dominick Turner, former athlete and musician died June 30. He was 28.

Turner was born Sept. 16, 1995, in Kansas City, Kansas to Hylton and Regina Turner.

He grew up in Leavenworth, Kansas and graduated from Excelsior Springs High School in 2014. In high school Turner was an accomplished athlete who participated in basketball, football, track and field. He received an athletic scholarship to Kentucky State University.

Turner also was a gifted musician who played the saxophone, flute and clarinet.

He is remembered by his father, Hylton Turner; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Victor Newman

Victor Newman, a computer technician, died July 3. He was 67.

Newman was born January 19, 1957, in Kansas City, Kansas to Samuel and Doris Newman. He graduated from Washington High School in 1975. Newman worked for Bendix Allied Signal as a computer technician.

He was a dedicated member of Mount Zion Baptist Church where he played the piano and organ.

Newman is remembered by his mother, Doris Newman; siblings, Michelle Miller and Sherrie Miller; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.