Yesterday I lost a dear friend. His name was Mark Davis to most, but to me he was always Markus. He called me Willbur. Sometimes, when we got together, you could easily mistake the two of us for a couple of dumb***** and that was just fine by us.
Markus took a leap years ago, moving to Huron sight unseen to become publisher of The Huron Plainsman and Redfield Press. While there, he led the papers through some of their greatest years. He was one of the best at driving sales and sparking new ideas. One of his proudest creations was the South Dakota State Fair special section a promotion so strong it remains one of the best in the industry to this day.
He was also a master of the Excel spreadsheet. His database in Huron was his baby, a project he nurtured and perfected. Hopefully Shaun will take care of it now. That was Markus always finding a way to make the business sharper, smarter, and better. Tireless in his work, he poured himself into every challenge. Seven days a week for more than 20 years, he gave his all until just recently, when he finally stepped back to retire.
He was also my travel partner on more work projects than I can count. For a year, he and I handled the transitions of News Media properties in Arizona. That meant more Allegiant flights into Mesa than Id like to remember, and far too many nights closing down hotel bars. But those trips gave me some of the best memories I have long days, longer laughs, and a lot of trust in each other to get the job done.
Im gutted that he wont get to enjoy the retirement he so richly earned with the people who meant everything to him: his wife Kim, his kids, and his grandkids. Family was always at the center of his world. He was the ultimate family man.
He grew up in Rochelle, Illinois, and though he never quite grew up in the truest sense, he did run a mens clothing store there before News Media Corporation lured him away from retail. Thats how he found himself in the glamour of West Virginia Buckhannon and Grafton where he made the most of it. His papers there were among the most profitable in what Markus always called Ginny. And he had a blast doing it.
Ill never forget the stories we could never tell from Frontier Days in Cheyenne. Or the Dominican Republic trip with our families a vacation filled with laughs and memories that will last me a lifetime.
Thats what Markus did. He left memories, laughter, and stories that will live on long after him. He gave his best to his work, and he gave his heart to his family and friends.
Gonna miss you, Markus.
Billy McMacken was the Publisher in Brookings for about 25 years ago before moving to Illinois. He and Markus worked closely together and sometimes held meetings about upcoming projects at Cubbys in Brookings. Even when there werent projects, too.
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