The Mark Alvin Stokes Memorial Drive Set For This Sunday
By Mwambazi Lawrence
25 April 1998 – 20 June 2026
There are people whose presence leaves a mark so profound that even after they are gone, their memory continues to inspire, comfort, and unite those they left behind. Mark Alvin Stokes was one of those rare individuals. Though his life was tragically cut short at just 28 years old, the love he shared, the dreams he nurtured, and the countless lives he touched have become a legacy that time can never erase.
Born on 25 April 1998 to Martin and Margaret Stokes, Mark grew into a remarkable young man whose kindness, humility, and determination defined the way he lived. He pursued his education with dedication, graduating as a Civil Engineer before beginning his professional career with Fire Masters. Alongside his brother, Shammy, he also co-founded Blue Root, a business that reflected his entrepreneurial spirit and desire to build something meaningful for the future.
While Mark was proud of his professional achievements, it was never titles or success that defined him. Those who knew him remember a man whose greatest gift was the way he made others feel. He welcomed everyone with a warm smile, listened without judgment, and celebrated the accomplishments of others as though they were his own. Whether among family, lifelong friends, colleagues, or strangers meeting him for the first time, Mark had an extraordinary ability to make people feel valued.
His family was the center of his world.
To his parents, he was a treasured son whose love and respect never wavered. To his aunts and uncles, he was much more than a nephew he was a son in every sense of the word. His siblings and cousins found in him not only a brother but also a trusted friend, a protector, and a constant source of encouragement. His nieces and nephews adored him as the fun-loving uncle who could fill every family gathering with laughter, stories, and unforgettable memories.
Mark was everyone’s biggest supporter. He believed in people even when they doubted themselves. He was always ready with words of encouragement, eager to celebrate another person’s success, and willing to lend a helping hand whenever it was needed. His generosity, compassion, and loyalty left an imprint on every life he encountered.
Outside of work, Mark’s greatest passion was motorsport.
He was a devoted motorsports fan whose excitement for rallying was impossible to miss. Rally weekends were occasions he eagerly anticipated, giving him the opportunity to spend time with fellow enthusiasts, admire the skill and courage of the drivers, and enjoy the atmosphere that only motorsport could provide. His love for cars was more than a hobby it was a passion that brought him genuine happiness and connected him to a community he deeply cherished.
On 20 June 2026, that passion was overshadowed by unimaginable tragedy.
After attending the Masaka Rally, Mark was traveling home with his siblings when they were involved in a devastating road accident. While his siblings survived the crash, Mark sadly lost his life.
The news of his passing sent shockwaves through his family, friends, colleagues, and the wider motorsport community. A vibrant young life filled with promise, ambition, and compassion had ended far too soon, leaving behind an emptiness that words can scarcely describe.
Beyond his career and his love for motorsport, Mark dreamed of building a beautiful future. He looked forward to one day getting married, becoming a father, and creating a family filled with the same love, kindness, and unwavering support that he had always shared with those around him. Those dreams, like so many others, were tragically left unfinished.
Yet even in death, Mark continues to bring people together.
The Memorial Drive held in his honor is far more than a procession of vehicles. It is a celebration of a life that touched countless hearts and a tribute to a man whose passion for cars reflected the passion with which he embraced life itself. Family members, friends, fellow motorsports fans, colleagues, and supporters gather not simply to remember how Mark died, but to celebrate how he lived with generosity, humility, loyalty, and love.
His legacy is not measured by the number of years he lived but by the immeasurable impact he made during those years. It lives on in every person he encouraged, every smile inspired by memories of him, every rally that reminds friends of his excitement, and every journey traveled by those who refuse to let his memory fade.
Some people are remembered because of what they accomplished. Others are remembered because of how they made people feel.
Mark Alvin Stokes will forever be remembered for both.
His kindness never sought recognition. His generosity expected nothing in return. His laughter brightened difficult days, and his love strengthened the people fortunate enough to call him family or friend.
Though his voice has fallen silent, the echoes of his life remain in every heart he touched. Every engine that starts, every road traveled, and every rally attended will forever remind those who loved him of a young man whose enthusiasm for life was as powerful as his love for the people around him.
Mark Alvin Stokes may no longer walk beside us, but his memory will continue to guide, inspire, and live within all who knew him.
He will forever be loved.
He will forever be remembered.
And he will forever be missed.
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