Mark A. Mccants

Mark A. McCants, age 38, was called home to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 19, 2023.

Born in Canton, OH, on October 17, 1984, he was the son of the late Karen (Meacham) Meadows and Brian McCants.

Mark was a 2003 graduate of Canton Central Catholic High School and fulfilled his dream of becoming a teacher, by receiving a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from the University of Akron. It was at Akron, in 2011, that he met his wife Tara LaCroix and son, Bentley LaCroix.

Mark was an extraordinarily passionate Early Childhood Education teacher, having taught Kindergarten and, most recently, 1st grade. Besides becoming a teacher, Mark also had a desire to teach children from all walks of life, and found that Washington, DC, was the place to do just that. So, in 2013, Mark set off to DC to pursue his dream. Mark also wanted to share that dream with Tara and Bentley and in 2015, they joined him and, together, they built their home there.

Mark was a highly regarded teacher at Stoddert Elementary in DC where staff, parents, co-workers, and students benefitted from his authentic teaching methods. There was always music playing in his classroom as his students entered the door to begin their day. He greeted each one by name as they entered and always referred to them as his "smarties". "Once a smartie, always a smartie" he was known to say.

As well as a teacher, Mark was a coach, Athletic Director, and tutor. He also worked his summers at a sports camp in DC called Kids Elite.
Mark was also an avid fan of all sports. He loved Cleveland Browns and Ohio State football, Cleveland CAVS basketball, and Cleveland Guardians baseball. On any Cleveland game day, you could find Mark, Tara, and Bentley at the Browns Backers Bar in DC cheering on Cleveland and their Ohio roots.

Mark filled many roles and had a deep love for his family. His love for his Mom, Sisters, Aunts, and Uncles was always present. The relationship he had with his cousins was more like they were siblings. To complete all the roles in his life, he added becoming a husband to Tara and stepdad to Bentley on March 2, 2021 with his final and greatest role of becoming a Dad on March 12, 2021, with the birth of his son, Trae Lamb McCants.

Mark's smile, laughter, light, and energy were infectious. He knew no strangers and was loved by everyone whose lives he touched.

Mark leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Tara, sons Bentley and Trae; sisters, Shuron Evans (Jim) Hamburg, of Rock Island IL; Brianna (Gael) Mbayo of Cape Town South Africa. Mother-in-law, Kristi (Dave) Schaub of Wadsworth OH; Father-in-law, Bob (Deana) LaCroix of New Philadelphia OH; Aunts, Victoria Meacham of Columbus OH; Uncles John Steven (Barb) Meacham of Fairlawn OH; Kevin Meacham of Canton OH; Great Aunt, Ruth Mathews of Canton OH; Brother-in-law, Steven (Brittany) LaCroix of Wadsworth OH, and a beloved niece, nephews, close cousins, relatives, friends, and all of his students.

Besides his mother Karen, Mark was preceded in death by his grandmother, Mary Meacham, Uncle, Lloyd Alfred Meacham (LAM), Aunts, Dorothea Graves, Maryann Meacham, and nephew, Jackie Evans.

Services for Mark will be held on Friday, March 3, 2023, at 12 noon at the Mt Calvary Baptist 2nd Missionary Church 1000 3rd St NE Canton OH with Reverend Jesse Smith officiating. Calling hours will be held 2 hours prior to the service from 10am to 12pm. Committal will be held at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Canton OH

A luncheon will served at Mt Calvary church immediately following the committal.

Flowers in Mark's memory may be sent to the church or memorial donations in Mark's name can be sent to the charity of donor's choice.

The family wishes to thank Newcomer Funeral home for its services and a heartfelt thank you to the Staff at Mt Calvary for their assistance with all of the arrangements for the service and the luncheon.