Gregory Mark Pender was born on November 30, 1962, in Kennett, Missouri, the son of Janice (Jordan) Pender-Greer and the late L.H. Pender. He grew up in the Coldwater community near Senath.

Mark, or "Pender" as many affectionately called him, graduated from Senath-Hornersville High School in 1981. He then attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree. While at Arkansas State he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and served as its vice president.

Pender always had a passion for the restaurant business and worked in the industry his entire career except for a short time when he sold insurance. He developed his energetic hospitality talents from working at local favorite Charley's Pizza in Kennett to a number of unique and upscale restaurants in Memphis. He was always interested in new concepts and signature dishes that were out of the ordinary. His one-of-a-kind touch added significantly to those restaurants' success.

Mark loved his family, girlfriend and numerous friends, and in return he held their love, too. He was always ready and willing to help anyone when needed.

His charisma was his greatest strength. He could walk into a room full of strangers and in an hour know everyone's name, where they lived, and what they did for a living. He truly had a gift for friendship, and it was genuine.

Mark Pender departed this life on July 14, 2021, in Memphis.

Survivors include: his son, Reece Pender, of Eureka, Missouri; his daughters, Jordan Pender of Eureka and Grace Pender of Memphis; his grandson, Jax Pender; his mother, Janice Greer of Paragould, Arkansas; his sister, Donna (Curtis) Hawkins of Monette, Arkansas; a niece, Keri Shrabel of Manila, Arkansas; his long-time girlfriend, Retha Moore; along with other relatives and many, many friends.

Mark was preceded in death by his father, L.H. Pender, and two nephews: John Eric Hawkins and Chad Hawkins.

The family suggests memorials in Mark's memory to be made to either St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis (where he volunteered) or to the Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock.

The service will be live-streamed on McDaniel Funeral Service's Facebook page.