Mark Smith

Profile Updated: April 1, 2024
Mark Smith
Residing In: Albuquerque, NM USA
Spouse/Partner: Jamie Nesbitt Smith
Occupation: Retired from Sr. Encounters Analyst, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NM
Children: Three amazing human beings:
Matthew Smith, born 1978 - Seattle, WA
Alana Smith Vandiver, born More…1987 - Little Elm, TX
Luke Smith, born 1991 - Bartlesville, OK
Yes! Attending Reunion
Schools Attended:

Taylor Elementary, Abilene
Lincoln Jr. High, Abilene
Abilene High
Abilene Christian University

Comments:

Started driving semi's while trying to finish university. Twenty-five years of driving came to a screeching halt (literally) in 1998.

I took an entry level job with BCBSNM in 1998 and have been with them ever since and will be until it's either no longer fun or my badge doesn't work. ;-)

I started umpiring baseball when my youngest started playing Little League then moved up to umpiring high school baseball in 2000. Along the way, called games from Little League up to their senior years in HS for Alex Bregman & Mitch Garver. With grandkids starting to come along, I've decided that 2019 is my victory lap. Going forward, I'll mentor and evaluate but no more on-field umpiring.

Took a 2 month retirement roadtrip thru the midwest and up into New England. Highlights were Steamtown Nat'l Monument in Scranton, PA; Baseball HOF in Cooperstown, NY; Acadia Nat'l Park in Maine; Boston (all of it really but especially Fenway & walking the Freedom Trail); DC (literally, everything we saw but especially Arlington Nat'l Cemetery, Korea/Vietnam Memorials, Lincoln Memorial, & Holocaust Museum); Great Smoky Mtn Nat'l Park.

Started playing golf at 71 in May 2023. Lot of catching up to do.
School Story:

The silk worms in Mr. Newton's 6th grade class at Taylor Elementary

Marching band at Lincoln Jr High (Is that even a thing now?)

Ms. Myer's English Lit - I can still recite the two opening lines of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in the Olde English.

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Apr
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Apr 01, 2024 at 6:31 PM
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Mar 06, 2024 at 10:09 AM

Posted on: Mar 04, 2024 at 4:25 PM

Occurred to me that I hadn't shared that I am retired as of 29Jul2022. After graduating ACU, I spent the next 25 years driving semi's, mostly regional with a little cross-country. When my daughter started having dance recitals and my youngest started playing Little League, decided it was time to find something that would keep me close to home. Took a few months doing odd jobs but landed at Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico and made that my work home for the next 24 years. Four days after retiring, my wife and I left on a 2 month road trip that took us across from Albuquerque and thru the Midwest then up into New England. Was able to cross off a number of bucket list items along the way, most notably the Baseball HOF in Cooperstown, Boston & Fenway Park, & DC. After returning home and getting settled in as a retiree, I decided "what better time to take up golf?" So, that has morphed into somewhat of a passion. When I'm not golfing, I'm riding my road bicycle, going to the gym, marshaling at one of our municipal gold courses (free golf. what can I say?) and, of course, traveling to TX & OK as often as possible to spend time with the grands and their parentals. God is good! Life is good! Having a blast! Can't wait to see everyone on May 3-4!

Mark Smith
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Sep
21
Sep 21, 2023 at 10:32 AM

Hey there, Joe. A happy belated birthday to you! My youngest was born on 20Sep…would’ve been your 40th. Always a special day in our home. Hoping your day was, as well.

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