Mark Hamilton Leto, Jr. was born on December 14, 1980. He was born with a song in his heart and a laugh in his belly. He was an affectionate, adventurous, fearless, joyful, and witty boy. He started playing drums with pencils and sticks, long before he ever touched an instrument. If he wasn't tapping on something, he was tapping his foot, whistling or singing. If you spent a day with him, you'd leave him with an annoying song stuck in your head. If you ever woke up in a house with him, you enjoyed a shower serenade that would put a Grammy winning artist to shame.

Mark makes you fall in love with him. You can't help it, really. He gives himself so freely to anyone he meets and offers vulnerability and raw emotion to everyone; whether in an elevator conversation with a stranger or a heart to heart with a lifelong friend. Everyone is like family to Mark and everyone feels like family when they're with Mark. He wants it that way. It is his super power. His heavenly gift. It is his purpose every day. He loves intimate conversations and closeness and straight talk. When he is shining, he will make divine connections and in more scenarios than we'll know this side of Heaven, those connections made eternal impact. There is no prerequisite with Mark, no walls, no expectations and God knows, NO boundaries! Right now, you can probably recite a tacky joke he told you. He is generous with his big heart and gives it away to anyone who will receive it. In that way, Mark is a faithful servant. He didn't hide his talents.

Mark has been son, brother, friend, husband, and Daddy. Daddy was his favorite. He loved all kids but his three girls, they were his glory. He was the kind of daddy that kept his home full of magic and laughter, and the occasional toe touch competition. He loved his three girls with all he had and if you felt loved by Mark, imagine the love he gave them, that they will pass on and carry forever.

He loves the beach.
He loves driving fast.
He loves karaoke.
He loves baseball caps.
He loves live music.
He loves at least 3 beverages choices with each meal.
He loves too much cologne.
He loves a good plate lunch, and everyone he had was the best one yet!
He always has a wad of gum in his mouth or on the rim of his cup.
He loves to cook and if you've ever had his delicious cuisine and picked up a little something you couldn't quite put your finger on, it was cinnamon or ketchup.
He will make you laugh at the most inappropriate time.
He plays drums like a professional.
He can sell you something you don't want, for twice what it's worth.

Mark is a worshipper. He loves to sit at the feet of Jesus. It's where he is most peaceful, where he feels most at home. He returns there often, worshipping through a battle or celebrating a victory. He was made to worship and he can lead people in from the back pew at a packed church, with his sacrifice-arms stretched as high as he could, offering himself to his Savior.

Mark gets to worship at the throne of his King, forever. He entered the arms of his Heavenly Father on September 1, 2024 and he wants to invite you to sing with him there in eternity.

Visitation at Cornerstone Church of Amite from 9:00AM until religious services at 1:00PM on Friday, September 6, 2024. Services conducted by Rev. Phil Nicaud and Rev. Mervin Strother. Interment will be private. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.