A Memorial Service will be held 1:00 PM Saturday August 28, 2010 at the First Christian Church of Norman.

Mark Edmund Acker, 63, physical therapist, passed on (August 2010) in Norman, Oklahoma from complications as a quadriplegic. Mark was born on May 7, 1947, in Borger, Texas to Warren Harlan and Jacqueline Folck Acker. He grew up in Phillips, Texas where he attended Phillips High School, in a small town with a proud football history. In spite of a severe neck injury his sophomore year, his desire to become a member of the Phillips Blackhawk football team was not to be denied. He attended a Cramer course on sports training and became head manager for the Blackhawk sports program his junior and senior years. His career as a trainer did not end there. Upon graduation he moved to Norman and attended OU. While at the university he worked as a trainer in the athletic department earning membership in the O club. He graduated in August 1970 with his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy. Upon graduation he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. and assigned to the 2nd battalion of the 11th Field Artillery of the 101st Airborne Division known as the "Screaming Eagles". He proudly served his country in Vietnam earning the Bronze star for meritorious achievement in ground Operations as a 1st Lieutenant in the Signal Corps. Mark began practicing physical therapy in 1972 when he returned from Vietnam. He served as Staff Physical Therapist at Goddard Health Center at OU; as Assistant Head Athletic Trainer at the Air Force Academy in Colorado; as an owner/practitioner at Associates in Physical Therapy: and as Director of Rehabilitation at Norman Physicians Group (now Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center). He has been an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association since 1970; member of Oklahoma Physical Therapy Association serving as President 1976-1978 and again 1984-1986. He directed countless prospective P.T. students and served as Adjunct Clinical Professor for the OU Health Sciences Center and taught Sports Medicine while on the faculty at Langston University. He served as Clinical Education Instructor for OU, Langston, & Osteopathic College of Iowa. He was recognized for his exemplary contributions as a physical therapist in 2000 by OPTA with the Chapter Founders Award. Mark was very committed to community service: a member of Rotary International; a participant of the Bootstrap Award program for struggling Norman High School students; a volunteer for Health for Friends; worked in the Norman Beautiful program planting trees & was a graduate of Norman Chamber of Commerce Leadership program. For many years Mark volunteered time and medical materials to support the 89'er Stage Race, a nationally sanctioned cycling event. He also competed as a cyclist in Oklahoma and Texas winning numerous medals and awards. He provided volunteer services to the Department of Dance at OU and volunteered back instruction for Shaklee, Hitachi, and City of Norman employees. Always committed to education, Mark completed his Masters of Liberal Studies at OU in August l993. He was a commercial pilot with an instrument rating, ran marathons, enjoyed skiing and cycling. On June 5, 1998 while training for competitive cycling, Mark was critically injured. His life as a quadriplegic allowed him to continue his passion for physical therapy as an assistant professor at the OU School of Physical Therapy . He was recognized for his dedication and devotion to preparing future physical and occupational therapists with a citation in March 2007. He and Karen serve as greeters for their church, First Christian of Norman, are supporters of the Art Museum and are avid Sooner fans. As a testament to his indomitable spirit Mark survived for over twelve years always enjoying family and friends, sharing his smile and keeping his amazing sense of humor. Mark was preceded in death by his parents Warren and Jacqueline Acker. Mark is survived by his wife, Karen of the home; his three daughters: Erin Kathleen ( Bryan) Booher of Arlington, Texas; Jennifer Acker of Noble: Angela (Justin)Meyers of Tulsa, OK.; one brother Mike (Nikki) Acker of Borger, Texas; 1 grandson Calab; 2 aunts: Aloha Aber of Alaska; Edith King of California; nine nieces and nephews; and many cousins. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mark E. Acker Scholarship Fund, Department of Physical Therapy, OU College of Allied Health, 1200 N. Stonewall, AHB-3009, OKC, OK 73117, 405-271-3744 or First Christian Church Memorial Trust, 202 South Webster, Norman, OK 73069. A Memorial Service will be held 1:00PM Saturday August 28, 2010 at the First Christian Church 220 S. Webster Norman, OK. Please visit www.vondelsmithmortuary.com to leave condolences for the family.