Mark Topel

Mark Allen Topel, age 66, passed away on May 2, 2023. He was born on December 1, 1956 in Seward, Nebraska to Stanley and Mae Hoese Topel. Mark was raised in East Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Lutheran East High School in 1974. After high school, he attended Walsh College where he received his B.B.A. Mark moved to Texas at the age of 25. He found Grace Lutheran Church, he bought a house, and then he accepted a job offer. 2 years later, Mark helped found Whitley Penn with Glen Whitley and Jim Penn. After 40 years of service, and 800 employees, Whitley Penn ranks 37th in the nation for best Accounting and Tax Services. During Mark’s career, he held his CPA, CFP, Series 7, Series 66, and Group 1.

Mark, “Mr. Wonderful”, married “Trish the Dish” Thompson in 1985 at Grace Lutheran Church. They were married for what would have been 38 years this August.

Mark served and supported The American Heart Association, Alzheimer’s, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Camp Thurman, Child Vision Center, First Liberty Institute, Fort Worth Scottish Rite Foundation, Grace Lutheran Church, Hope Farms, Hillsdale College, In Faith Foundation, Leukemia Texas, Loving Liberia through Lutheran Ministries, Mission Alive, New Horizons, Texas Values, United Way, Walsh College, and YMCA. Additionally, he supports missionary families in Slovenia, Spain, and Sierra Leonne.

Mark was a member of  the AICPA, Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Big State Investment Club, Civil War Round Table, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Fort Worth Chapter of the TXCPA, Leadership Arlington, Professional Networking Connection (PNC), and he was a newly minted honorary DeMolay brother.

Mark was just as devoted to his clients and staff as he was to his family and church. When you came under his wing he would consult, council, and provide the best possible service and mentorship to help you either build your business or build your career. Although Mark sat on many boards, he was also in the trenches reaching out and building personal relationships. If you were sitting next to Mark on a plane or at a function he was going to get to know you. He told many stories of the people he met and interesting facts he uncovered. Mark was going to find that 6th degree of separation, until there was a common thread between you. When he was not mentoring, networking, or serving, he loved going to Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars games. He was a huge University of Michigan fan. Go Blue!

Mark is survived by his parents, his siblings and their families, his wife, children, and son-in-law, his mother-in-law, and his wife’s brothers’ families, and a multitude of aunts, uncles, and cousins on both sides.

A visitation will be held at Emerald Hills Funeral Home, 500 Kennedale Sublett Rd Kennedale, TX 76060 from 6:00-8:00pm on Monday May 8th.

A funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas 301 S Center St Arlington, TX 76010 at 10:00am on Tuesday May 9th. Interment will follow at Emerald Hills Funeral Home. Lastly, the Family will be greeting friends and relatives over lunch at First Baptist Church in Arlington.

The Family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Mark’s wonderful network who helped carry them through these past few weeks. This obituary was written by his loving children.

Mark loved to give back and in the spirit of honoring him and his philanthropic heart please consider donating to Leukemia Texas. He loved their work and the BEATLEukemia Ball where he and Trish were their Honorary Chairs in 2021 and 2022. Please visit www.leukemiatexas.org.