Mario Lance

Thomas "Mario" Lance born February 1, 1978 passed away unexpectedly September 22, 2015 in Pocatello, Idaho. He leaves behind his wife of 8 years, Jill and two beautiful daughters, Aleah 7 and Kayla turning 5 on October 5th.

He was born in Pocatello, Idaho to Tom Lance of Pocatello, ID and Sharon Kulbacki of Folsom, CA. He moved to Folsom when he was just 3 where he spent many years making lifelong friends with everyone he met. He played and enjoyed Little League for several years while also enjoying Karate.

In 1990, he moved back to Idaho to live with his father, Tom in Inkom where he enjoyed bull riding and horseback riding, fishing and hunting with his father, uncles and cousins.

Throughout his life, he had a great talent in art, creative writing and music. He had to have daily bike rides and recently enjoyed competitive trail riding and long distance running.

He graduated from Marsh Valley High School in 1996 and afterward spent several years in sales both door to door and automotive. He loved people and had an infectious joy for life. In 2001 he enrolled in an aircraft mechanic program through Idaho State University and furthered his education to get his A&P license. He began his aircraft career at the AV Center immediately after graduation.

He was then given the opportunity to learn helicopter repair and maintenance and was employed by Air Methods then later hired on with Life Flight where he worked until his death. He prided himself on meticulously servicing and repairing each aircraft assuring they were safe to fly.

In April of this year, he was transferred out of the Pocatello area to service both the Burley and Rexburg facilities and recently was permanently assigned to Burley. He struggled with selling his home in Pocatello to move from the area as he cared daily for his Grandmother (Mary Kulbacki) who was recently placed in assisted care at Copper Summit Care Facility.

Mario loved helping his elderly grandparents and assisted Philomena Lance throughout the last years of her life. He was close with his mother's parents (Ed and Mary Kulbacki) and upon Ed's death in 2004, was a constant part of Mary's life being with her on a moment's notice. As her health deteriorated, he was the main emergency contact for her. Mario was adamant that he did not want to leave the area until his grandmother, Mary passed.

He leaves behind his wife, Jill; and two daughters, Aleah and Kayla; a brother, Ryan (Krystal) Winn, three nephews and one niece all under the age of 9. He will be sorely missed by several aunts, uncles, cousins and many of Jill's family members. He was selfless in all he did and was at everyone's beckon call where or whenever he was needed; he openheartedly helped anyone who had any need.

A celebration of life will be held in his memory at 4 p.m., today, Saturday, September 26, 2015 at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Road.

The family requests no flowers be sent but instead any donation to assist Jill with her daughters and their uncertain future be made on the Go Fund Me website under the Mario Lance Memorial Fund. They further wish to express their gratitude for the acts of kindness shown in their behalf by family, friends, and his co-workers at LifeFlight. Please share your condolences and memories online at www.wilksfuneralhome.com.