ARVADA, Colo. — Mark Samuel Albert Stice, 36, set out in mid-September to climb the Crestones, in Custer County, Colo., and never returned and has not yet been found.
More than 800 hours of volunteer time was spent trying to find him, but the search was hampered by snow, ice and high winds at altitudes over 13,000 feet. While we believe he will someday be found, the time has now come to remember him and celebrate his life. Born April 15, 1977, in Denver, Colo., he was the son of William and Janice (Horvat) Stice.
Mark graduated from North High School in Denver, in 1995, and earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration in 2005 from College America. He wed Michelle Harwood on March 17, 2007. He was employed by United Parcel Service since 2001, most recently as a dispatch supervisor. In his spare time, he brewed craft beer and enjoyed spending time outdoors camping, fishing and hiking. During the last year of his life, he summited several of Colorado’s “14ers.”
Survivors include his wife, Michelle and two young daughters, Elizabeth and Hadley Stice, all of the home; his mother, Janice Stice, Denver, Colo.; his brother, Brian Stice, wife Leslie, and sons Cayden and Albert, Longmont, Colo.; his sister, Veronica Coons, husband Bruce, daughters Catherine and Emily Barrington; and a son, John Barrington, Great Bend.
A memorial service is scheduled at 2 p.m. Saturday at Horan & McConaty Chapel, 3020 Federal Blvd., Denver, Colo., officiated by Rev. Trudee White.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Stice family or to Custer County Colorado Search and Rescue. Please share remembrances on CSCcares.com.

Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Nov. 29, 2013