Author: beretta

Mark was born in 1950 to Edwin and Janice Parmeter in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was raised on a potato farm and was active in 4H. He graduated from Rockford High School in 1968. Mark married his high school sweetheart Karen in 1970. The couple moved their family to Las Cruces in 1981. Mark was an electrical contractor. He worked at JN Electric for several years before purchasing the business. He operated Parmeter Power and Control and 4Warn Property Protection Systems from 1999 to 2021.

Mark and Karen, avid sporting clays shooters, competed in shotgun sports statewide and nationally for over 20 years. Mark was integral to the construction of the Mesilla Valley Shotgun Sports range (MVSS) and served on its board for 11 years. He was a lifetime member of both the MVSS and the National Rifle Association. Mark was proud to be inducted into the New Mexico Sporting Clays Hall of Fame in 2020.

Mark’s absence will be felt by many, but he will be missed most by family and close friends that carry his memory: Karen, his loving wife of 52 years, his daughter Heather and her husband Rob, his son Erik, and his best friends Brian Trapp and Dan Roberts. Mark is survived by three sisters: Marlene Nicol (Denny), Marsha Shogren (Jim), and Marla Cederquist, as well as a brother; Marlon Parmeter. He also had several nieces and nephews. In addition, Mark is survived by two grandchildren: Aaron and Medley, and their mother Keri.

At Mark’s request, no service will be held. The MVSS will hold a memorial shoot at a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the MVSS building fund to support improvements to the range that Mark loved: MVSS, PO Box 511, Las Cruces NM 88004, MEMO: Mark

Mark and Karen Parmeter started organizing informal 25-target sporting clays shoots in 1992, at the Butterfield Range. Those shoots grew over the years and led to the formation of MVSS, and construction of the trap, skeet, sporting clays and 5 Stand ranges we use today.

From attending meetings to providing his expertise as an electrician, Mark was involved in every aspect of our range. He was a skilled sporting clays target setter and an A-Class shooter. He was also a knowledgeable and enthusiastic coach and always willing to help a new shooter. He will be remembered and he will be missed.

His family has requested privacy for a few days and no services are planned at this time.