Mark Alan Metz

Mark Alan Metz, 53, died on Saturday, October 20, while hunting, one of his lifelong passions. Mark was also a lifelong outdoor enthusiast and in addition to hunting, enjoyed fishing and helping landowners realize their dreams for their property through proper forest and land management. He is survived by his other lifelong passion – his family, including his wife of 21 years, Becky, and his daughters Clara and Sarah. Other family members include his sister-in-law Shelia Metz, nieces Ann Metz and Luci McNeely (Bob), nephew Guy Metz (Angie), and great-nieces Rylee and Lenox, as well as an extended family of cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Mavis and Guy Metz; and brother Sonny Metz. Mark was a proud graduate of West Virginia University with a master’s degree (1984) in forestry and a bachelor’s degree (1982) in forestry. He was self-employed as a consulting forester for 21 years. He also worked for the West Virginia Division of Forestry and Natural Resources Conservation Service, a joint service between the state and federal governments. Mark was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Barboursville where he served on the church council. He was also a lifelong resident of Barboursville. An informal celebration of Mark’s life will be held Wednesday at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 5700 Route 60 East, Barboursville, with visitation beginning at 4:30 p.m. and a short service at 6 p.m. A supper to honor his memory will follow the service. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions in Mark’s honor to one of these organizations: Teubert Trust Foundation, 1000 Fifth Avenue, Huntington, WV, 25701 West Virginia Tree Farm Scholarship Program, PO Box 718, Ripley, WV, 25271 or, the Quality Deer Management Association Mountain State Branch, 175 Lutz Drive, Washington, WV, 26181. The family would like to express its gratitude and appreciation for all of the close friends who are supporting them during this difficult time.