Mark Richard Esola's Obituary
Mark Richard Esola, 67, of Amissville, VA died August 26, 2024, in Inova Fairfax Hospital, Fairfax VA. He was born October 3, 1956, in Akron, OH to Anthony and Barbara Esola (nee Carter).
Mark graduated from Akron Ellet High School class of 1975 and continued on to Ohio State University. He worked for Liebert Corp in Columbus, OH prior to joining the U.S. Army in 1984.
He joined the United States Army in March of 1984 as an Infantry Paratrooper. He was assigned to the scout platoon, 4th Battalion 502nd Infantry – Berlin Brigade, Germany from 1985-1988. He then was assigned to the 1st Battalion 325th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC, with which Mark deployed to the Middle East as part of Desert Shield / Desert Storm.
In 1992 Mark attended the Special Forces Qualification Course, graduating as a Special Forces weapons Sergeant. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion 10th Special Forces Group in Stuttgart, Germany where he served in multiple positions within the Commander’s In-extremis Force (CIF) specializing in counter-terrorism operations. In 1996, Mark participated in Operation Assured Response, a Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) in the war-torn country of Liberia. He continued on to Fort Bragg in 1997, where he served as both a counter-terrorism instructor and unconventional/guerilla warfare instructor.
In 1999, Mark was assigned to the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion where he continued to deploy globally. Just three months after the events of September 11, 2001, he was deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. In March 2003, he was one of the first to deploy to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Mark retired in March 2004 after 20 years of active service spanning both the Cold War and the Global War on Terror. His awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge (2nd Award), Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Special Forces Tab, Master Parachutist Badge, and the French Forces Commando Badge.
After retiring from the military, Mark continued to serve the military as a government contractor. When not deployed overseas, he operated a firearms training and self-defense business. In 2006, he pursued a new venture based on his lifelong love of motorcycles, called ‘Mark’s Motorcycle Leather Works’ based in Sperryville, VA. Mark took such pride in his leather work, that he only accepted custom orders and guaranteed satisfaction. One of his last creations was a life-size ‘Full Armor of God’ a work that took over three months to complete and included more than one thousand hand-stamped crosses on the individual pieces of armor. Mark was a follower of Christ, with the heart of a warrior.
Mark is survived by his wife, Debbie; his mother-in-law, Jeannette, and her husband, Mike; his sisters-in-law, his daughter, Angie, and her husband, Mickey, and grandchildren, children Ayden, Jaxon, and Izabella.
He is also survived by his brother Tony and his wife, Tammi; their children, Chace, AJ, and Shannon; and his cousin, Lucy.
A memorial service for Mark will be held on November 9th, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. at Lakemore United Methodist Church, 1536 Flickinger Road, Akron, OH with a Celebration of Life to follow.
A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, May 5, 2025 at Fort Myer Old Post Chapel 204 Arlington Ave, Fort Myer, VA 22211.
The family invites you to join them after the service for a reception at Texas Jack's, 2761 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201.
An online guestbook and tribute wall are available at www.foundandson.com
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is serving the family.
What’s your fondest memory of Mark?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mark?
Share a story where Mark's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mark you’ll never forget.
How did Mark make you smile?