Welding inspector, who died in fall, remembered for his passions

Mark Brian Lovett, the 26-year-old Las Vegas resident who fell to his death at a construction site in Summerlin this week, was a welding inspector whose job was to make sure buildings were up to code — that the steel was sturdy and that the safety specifications were met.

But he was much more than an inspector — he was an avid scuba diver, motorcycle rider and “a real gamer,” in his older brother’s words.

“He was a sharp shooter with a bow and arrow, he loved bow hunting tournaments,” said Gary Lovett, 39. “We used to call him Robin Hood. He could split an arrow with an arrow.

“It was amazing.”

While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigates Lovett’s death and reconstructs what happened on the job site Tuesday morning at The Shops at Summerlin Centre, family and friends plan to say their goodbyes to Lovett, a Coronado High School graduate, at his funeral at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Palms Mortuary on Eastern Avenue in Las Vegas.

His body will be cremated, his ashes spread in the Pacific Ocean, said his older brother, who said a memorial motorcycle ride will follow in the coming weeks.

“My father will be leading the way,” said the brother, who’s still reeling from the death of his younger brother.

When Gary was injured in service and was rehabilitating at Walter Reed Hospital, Mark was there by his side. Over time, Mark became an advocate of the Wounded Warrior program after seeing first hand the sort of hardship Gary had to go through.

“He was always there for me,” said Gary Lovett. “He was there for all of us. Always.”

Details on what caused Lovett to fall two floors while inspecting the shell of a mall probably won’t be released for another three to six months, said Teri Williams, a spokeswoman for OSHA. She said if any violations are found, they will be reported and the construction company will be notified.

His brother said he died instantly.

“He landed on the foundation below, they basically said he only lived for two seconds,” the brother said. “I went to the job site and talked to the guys and they showed me from a distance.”

Lovett said his brother was working for Howard Hughes Corp. and it was only his second day on the job.

But it was a job he excelled at, he said. He said his brother has helped inspect all sorts of buildings in Las Vegas, including CityCenter.

“It was high tech, and he was great at what he did,” his brother said.

In addition to his brother Gary, Lovett is survived by his father, James Lovett and mother Carolyn Lovett; and sister Janet, 37; and brother Mike, 41.

Contact reporter Tom Ragan at tragan@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5512.