Dr. Mark Laton Bettencourt

View Memorial Slideshow Dr. Mark Laton Bettencourt, 54, of Wamego, KS passed away unexpectedly in a car accident on Cayman Brac, in the Cayman Islands on Sunday, November 15, 2015. He was born in Oakland, CA on December 23, 1960 to Lee and Martha (Elder) Bettencourt. He grew up in Havensville, KS and graduated from Onaga High School, Onaga, KS in 1979. After high school he attended Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree and the University Of Houston School Of Optometry in 1986, where he received his Doctor of Optometry. Dr. Bettencourt practiced in Wichita Falls, TX before starting Bettencourt Eye Care in Wamego, KS in 1994. Dr. Bettencourt was the owner and operator of Vision Source offices in Wamego and Manhattan, KS.. Mark had a passion and excitement for life, for today, for tomorrow and for tomorrow's tomorrow in his heart, on his face, and in his open love for the ones he called family and friends. As one of his closest friends said it best, no one does life better than Mark. Dr. Bettencourt ... perhaps the only ones to call him Doctor was his patients, but to the rest he will always remain Mark. Mark attacked life. He relished life. He shared life. One of Mark’s favorite sayings that he lived by was “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care”. Mark cared for others and for all of us because of this our lives are a little brighter. Mark married Angie Lang Bettencourt, in 2000 in Wamego, KS. They were blessed with 15 years of marriage. He had a close relationship with the Lord, and was an active member of St Bernard's Parish in Wamego, KS. He was a member of the St. Bernard Knights of Columbus, Kansas Director of Vision Source, Manhattan Konza Rotary Club, American Optometric Association, Kansas Optometric Association and past member of Wamego USD 320 school board. Mark enjoyed weightlifting and nutrition, scuba diving, and all sporting activities involving his children. His compassion for others led Mark to take the opportunity to serve on several Optometric mission trips abroad. Mark is survived by his spouse Angie of Wamego, KS; his son Layton of home; his daughters Morgan, Hadley and Grace of home. He is also survived by his parents, Lee and Martha Bettencourt, Wamego, KS, a brother, John (Kathy) Bettencourt, Wamego, KS, sisters Laura (Rusty Chrest) Bettencourt, Wamego, KS, Sandra (Tyler) Roberts, Frisco, TX and Linda (Cole) McDiffett, Wamego, KS. Mark is also survived by numerous aunts, and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial for Dr. Bettencourt will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 5, 2015 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church of Wamego. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. A Rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the church, where family will greet friends during visitation until 8:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bank of the Flint Hills, for the establishment of the Dr. Mark Bettencourt Educational Fund to honor his life and love for education, and may be left in care of Stewart Funeral Home, PO Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547. Condolences may also be left at www.stewartfuneralhomes.com