Mark D. Waters

Mark D. “Muddy” Waters, 63, most recently of Oxford, passed away peacefully in the evening hours of Friday, December 8, 2023, after a courageous four-month battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loved ones at the Mercy House in Endicott, NY. Mark was born on May 3, 1960 in Johnson City, NY to the late Charles A. Waters and Doris A. (Walker) Waters.

Mark grew up in Central New York with the majority of his childhood spent in the Greene and Oxford schools. Mark’s most memorable time of his life was living on the farm in Greene. He idolized his step-father, Eugene Watrous, who taught him many valuable skills. Wanderlust led Mark to leave home at an early age to see and experience the “outside” world. This urge took Mark to many places and provided him with many, many adventures. He was always willing to share stories about those adventures when the conversation arose. Mark was a dreamer and an entrepreneur at heart. He had numerous “jobs” throughout his life and the type of job was really dependent on where he was living. He traveled the circuit with the Deggeller and Conklin shows, driving rigs, doing electrical work, and managing and running rides. He was most proud at a very young age of “his” Himalaya and the joy it brought to the riders. Mark owned an arcade in Arizona near his father, Charlie, and later owned his own painting business, aptly named “Rebel Painting.” In later years he was self- employed doing general contracting work. Born out of all of these adventures and experiences, Mark found his faith in God. No matter what hard times he may have experienced, he was comforted by God’s love.

Mark loved the beach and the ocean. He spent as many hours as he could in his younger years trying to surf. If the waves cooperated, he was a natural. Mark never wore anything but flip-flops or his bare feet when he could, which is why he spent most of his adult life in the south or southwest, especially during the winter seasons. After spending much of his life on the road, Mark decided to settle down and marry his childhood sweetheart, Dawn Beckwith. After more than ten years of marriage, Mark’s free spirit took him back on the road where he lived in Florida, New York, Alabama, and Maryland. During this time, Mark spent the last several years with his companion, Bonnie Anderson, of Maryland. Before his end of life, Mark moved back to his hometown of Oxford, NY to spend his final days with his family.

Mark is survived by his stepson, John (Karen) Beckwith of Oxford; along with several step grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition, Mark is survived by his sisters, Ellen Loughren of Oxford and Jean (Daniel) Sharpe of Norwich; nieces and nephews, Robert Corbin of Norwich, Keith (Stacy) Corbin of North Norwich, Michael (Terri) Waters of Norwich, Bug (Marie) Loughren of Norwich, Andrew (Sarah) Waters of Smyrna, Raymond (Debbie) Cavness of Binghamton, Rebecca (Phil) Root of Greene, Danny Sharpe of Bainbridge, Ryan (Ingrid) Sharpe of Norwich, and Adrienne Sharpe of Syracuse; Uncle Frank and Aunt Sylvia Walker of Norwich; as well as many cousins, great nieces, and nephews. Mark was predeceased by his parents, including his stepfather, Eugene Watrous; stepson, Joe Beckwith; sisters, Pam Corbin and Sharon Cavness; brother, Randall Waters; brother-in-law, Jerry Loughren; as well as other beloved aunts, uncles and cousins.

Per Mark’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or funeral. A celebration of Mark’s life will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at the Oxford American Legion from 3:00–6:00pm. All “Mark” stories and memories are welcome. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oxford Emergency Squad, Hospice of either Chenango or Broome County or the Mercy House of the Southern Tier.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted with the Wilson Funeral Home.