Coon Rapids Pool Hall Mourns Mark Hortman, ‘An Avid Player And Nice Guy'

Coon Rapids Pool Hall Mourns Mark Hortman, ‘An Avid Player And Nice Guy'

Mark Hortman's absence leaves a void at CR's Billiards, where he was a beloved pool league member.

COON RAPIDS, Minnesota — Friends say to know Melissa Hortman was to know her husband, Mark.

The couple shared more than 30 years of marriage, and those closest to them say Mark was far more than just a devoted husband and father — he was thoughtful, quiet, and full of unique interests, including a love for the game of pool.

At CR's Billiards in Coon Rapids, where Mark played in a Monday night league, the sound of clinking pool balls carries a different weight now following the murders of Melissa and Mark.

“It’s tough to talk about,” said owner Jerry Johnson. “He was one of our customers. One of our friends.”

Mark wasn't just a supportive spouse to his wife's public political career, but he was also a businessman with his own accomplished background.

He worked for a business that helped companies with data centers and electrical solutions called nVent.

He earned a bachelor's degree in physics from the University of North Carolina. He continued his education in Minnesota, graduating from the Carlson School of Management MBA program at the University of Minnesota in 2011.

When their daughter wanted to train a service dog for veterans through Helping Paws, Mark helped and then ended up finishing the training. His wife Melissa wanted to try, and that's how they ended up with their family dog, Gilbert, who was also killed in the shooting. The four-year-old golden retriever was deemed too friendly for the service dog career.

The Hortmans' neighbors in Brooklyn Park say they often saw both of them playing with and walking Gilbert outside. Adding, it was abundantly clear how much joy that golden retriever brought their family. Neighbors also noted the Hortmans' beautiful yard and garden. The husband and wife spent many hours outside doing yard work and gardening.

Friends say that when Mark wasn't spending time with his family, he enjoyed mountain biking, going to Twins games, and telling dad jokes.

Credit: KARE

Friends say they saw them just hours before they were murdered.

Above all, Mark was known for his unwavering support of his wife, Melissa, who Minnesotans best know as House Speaker Hortman, throughout her two-decade political career.

“He believed in her and what she stood for,” Johnson said. “He was always proud.”

The shock of his sudden absence has left a deep impact, especially on those who saw him regularly at the pool hall. Monday marked the first league night without Mark. The popular pool hall was filled with people, and they had a moment of silence in Hortman's honor.

“He was a quiet guy, a friendly guy,” Johnson said. “An avid pool player. He loved to play. His team was competitive, and they enjoyed it. It's tough to know that he’ll never walk back through those doors.”

In his memory, the Monday night leagues raised more than $3,000 for the couple’s children. A fund has also been created to help support the family.

“You never think something like this could happen,” Johnson said. “Life is precious. Every day really is a gift.”

SOURCE: KARE 11