Mark Allen Longest Sr.

Mark was born on August 21st, 1961. He spent his life working in commercial construction. He was a specialist in custom solutions. His passion was in the school security division. He worked tirelessly to create new hardware to make schools safer in dangerous situations, such as developing a school lockdown hardware system. He also held four US patents for a non-chainable door pull that would stop an intruder from chaining entry and exit doors shut. This pull handle is in production today and installed in many large school systems and colleges.

Mark was also passionate about old cars. With the help of his father, Jim, they resurrected the Paladin’s Car Club. They also built a ’32 Chevy from the ground up and were working on a ’40 Ford when Jim passed away.

Mark was preceded in death by his father, James Longest; and mother, Shirley Longest.

Mark leaves behind to forever mourn him, his wife of 18 years and partner of 22 years, Cindy Taylor-Longest; his 7 children, Amy Taylor (Brandon) Keri Longest (Jason) Markie Longest (Beth) Peter Longest (Stephanie) Kathlin Longest (Layne) Dr. J.Drake Bishop (Kate) CeeCee Bishop (Alex); and 17 grandchildren. Mark also leaves behind the mother of his four biological children, Susan Martin Longest.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 10th at 2pm at Bennett Funeral Home, Chesterfield location, 14301 Ashbrook Pkwy. Chesterfield, Virginia 23832