Mark Pautler

Mark Christopher Pautler, age 82, passed away unexpectedly on April 6, 2024. 

Born on April 6, 1942, Mark was raised in St. Louis, Missouri where he attended St. Louis University High School and then completed 6 years at St. Stanilaus Jesuit Seminary.   While contemplating whether or not he would continue his future in the Jesuit priesthood, he asked to be transferred to Denver in 1968 to teach at Regis Jesuit High School where in addition to his academic responsibilities he established Regis’s first soccer program. Upon deciding to leave the priesthood, he met and married his first wife Cheryl and they established their family life together.  While working as a program administrator with the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice, Mark completed his law degree at the University of Denver night school program.

Mark went on to dedicate his professional life to criminal justice and service to his community.  He was a fierce advocate for law enforcement and worked as a Chief Deputy District Attorney for some 30 years.  He was the Jeffco District Attorney’s Office point person for handling every critical incident and mass casualty event including the Columbine School shooting tragedy. He taught at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office academy for many years, lectured around the country on the handling of mass casualty events, and served on the board and ultimately as President of the 1^st Judicial District Bar Association. He served on statewide committees overseeing and developing criminal justice legislation.  Upon retiring from the DA’s office he achieved the zenith of his professional career by serving 10 years as an associate municipal judge for the communities of Lakewood and Mountain View.

Mark was a devoted husband, a dedicated father, and a proud grandfather. Mark is survived by his beloved wife of 31 years Betsy, his sons Chris (Tess) and Dan, his stepson Ryan (Karla), and his four grandchildren, Tyler, Kylie, Sebastian, and Lucas. Mark is also survived by his brother Bill (Rose) and nieces Aimee (Bill), Melissa (Keith), and Katie (Rachel). Family was the ultimate joy of his life.

Mark was an avid golfer, pickleball player, bowler, a master of trivia night, and considered himself quite skilled on the dancefloor, He will be remembered by so many for his compassion, his personal warmth, sense of fun, and wild sense of humor. Mark touched so many people's lives. His love and support of his friends and family was limitless..  Mark was the type of man people knew they could go to with their problems or for advice. Fellow workers knew him as a leader, mentor, friend, and confidant. Your problems were his problems and your dreams were his dreams.

We invite you to join us in a "Celebration of Mark!" on Monday, April 15th at 2:00 pm at Horan & McConaty, 3101 S Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood CO 80227. Dress code is casual, bright, cheery, and goofy tee shirts are welcome! 

Instead of flowers, those wishing to honor his life can make a donation in Mark's name to the Salvation Army.