I just found out today that Mark passed away this summer. Im so sorry to hear this and may have figured out a way back to Florida to see him before he passes had I known. I grew up on the same street as Mark with him and his mother, Pricey. So I saw Mark almost every day. In Jr. High and High School, I often ended up at Marks house for a snack before heading back across the street home. As an adult I look back and am proud of Mark. So many people had no idea what they wanted to do and from the moment I met Mark, he knew exactly what he wanted to do and he went out and DID it. Mark had a candy apple green 3-speed Schwing bike that he rode all over Fruitland Park making police siren sounds. He knew he wanted to be the Chief of Police in Fruitland Park one day. Some laughed at him then (I didnt), but he went out and DID IT. He had an interest in anything that brought him close to police work. In those days, CB (Citizens Band) radios were a big deal and Mark had one in the house. Often he would signal he was home (Pricey was working) by coming home, getting on the CB radio and talking to his Aunt who went by the CB handle Pepe. Mark would come home, jump on the CB radio and go Breaker, breaker 1-9, how bout ya Pepe?!? How about the one big Pepe?!? And she would often answer him. (I cant remember whether she was Genes sister or Priceys sister.) I was also in Leesburg High School band with Mark where he played the marching bass drum. So Mark and I also shared 6th period band together for 4 years straight in high school (and two years of Jr. High band with Mr. Jessie Holliman. I was fortunate enough to have talked to Mark just before he transitioned out of his Police Chief role and let him know I was proud of his accomplishments and how he worked all his life to achieve his one big dream. Since this page should celebrate Mark, Ill only say I completely disagree with the reasons why he needed to transition from Police Chief. He may have made an error in judgement, but he completely deserved to remain on the force. Other means should have been sought. That really upset me as Mark accomplished his dream and did the work to get there. Thats how he should be remembered and the picture available here for this story I couldnt have picked better. This is how he should be remembered and honored. I can still hear Mark now barreling down LaVista St., sounding his siren, and Pricey out on her porch saying James Mark Isom!!! You better get in here!!! :-) And Mark would go Yes, momma!! But he grew up and made that dream a reality. Wish I could have told Mark farewell. I hope Fruitland Oark honored him in some way and that hes resting near Pricey and Gene in Shiloh in Fruitland Park which was our shared boyhood home and his beloved city as an adult and dedicated police officer.