Myrtle Beach loses a great local

What makes someone a good friend?

On late Monday afternoon,  Myrtle Beach lost a royal local and everyone's best friend.

Mark McDandel's family owned a Myrtle Beach Hotel in the 1960's.  In the 50s and 60s, his father,  Don, was president at one of the most established banks in the area and gave many of today's leading business owners their first loans.

Mark was best known nationally for surfing,  because he was world class.  He surfed on the U.S. Olympic team and was regarded as one of the best on the East Coast.

Mark and I were in business together for several years through some good times and some super tough times,  so I know what it means to have a good friend.  I am sure that I aged Mark more than almost any other person on the planet with some decisions I made.

BUT Mark was my friend through thick and thin,  even at periods I wasn't being a good friend for him because of choices I made.  Always forgiving,  always loving...I have found that true of him from everyone he knew.

He was an awesome husband and a nurturing  father as well.  He could have taught seminars on how to love those close to you,  but he preferred to simply live those values out.

Mark is what we locals call,  "Old Myrtle Beach".

To sum him up best,  in the mid 1990's,  he found me in my office crying because I discovered that our business was quite short on cash and unlikely to succeed.  He quietly closed the door and pulled a chair close to mine.  Looking up,  I heard him say,  "David,  one day we will both look back on this day,  laugh nervously and quickly change the subject."   That was Mark.

I am going to miss his loving hugs and his big   HEEYYY MANNN that welcomed me in and made the whole world feel safe.

Mark loved God and personally knew Christ.  I hope he is one of the first people I run into on the other side.

Love you man  -   David

Mark Ewing McDandel  -  A true friend