Mark Lee Odekirk
September 8, 1959 ~ June 25, 2017
Mark Lee Odekirk passed away June 25, 2017. He was born September 8, 1959 to Grover Lavon Odekirk and Donna Merkley Odekirk in Murray, Utah.
Mark loved his garden and would spend hours perfecting his beautiful yard. Everyone always commented on his golf course-like lawn that he loved to mow in perfect lines. He loved sports, especially golf, basketball, baseball and football; watching, playing and was very competitive. He was always good at every game or sport he played, he was such a natural. He would win at almost everything and if he didn’t, he would find a way, no matter what. It was always a big joke to watch out for his cheating.
Mark enjoyed anything U of U, Utah Jazz, or Dallas Cowboys and was so excited for anyone who came and cheered with or against him. He loved getting together to watch the games. He had the biggest sweet tooth and loved any kind of treats: ice cream, creamies, candy and chocolate…nothing lasted long around him. Mark got so excited every single holiday, you never saw someone so excited to get presents, he always lit up and was so happy. He enjoyed giving gifts too, especially to his wife who he always loved getting fancy things in beautiful wrapping.
He loved his “good boy” Sammy dog who followed him around everywhere he went. They loved to snuggle up and share food and treats together. Sammy wouldn’t go to bed unless Mark was already there.
Being outdoors brought him so much happiness. He loved camping, fishing and sitting around a campfire talking about funny stories and jokes, UFO’s, and ghost stories.
Mark was a friend to everyone he met. He could start a conversation with anyone. His biggest goal was to make someone laugh and he got such a kick out of being a tease. He always had a story to tell and was a wonderful storyteller. You couldn’t help but smile and laugh being around him.
He loved to read and had such a desire to learn about family and church history. He was a very spiritual man who had such love and faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He held numerous positions in the church and loved to serve his Heavenly Father. He was always an example of kindness, love, and service to everyone around him.
Mark was a wonderful father and step-father. He would do anything and give anything he could to help, be there, and support all his children. He was an amazing example and knew how to balance being a friend and a dad at the same time. He always encouraged, shared wisdom, and taught with love.
Mark cherished his beautiful wife whom he married in the Salt Lake City Temple for time and all eternity. They took care of each other, loved to laugh and were rarely apart. They loved to play cards on the deck Mark built by hand, go together on drives, and especially spend time with their family, children and grandchildren. They loved to travel and went on many trips together. They were blessed to go on trips with Grammy and Grampy, Mark’s mother and father-in-law, which were some of Mark’s favorite memories.
Of all his greatest joys, Mark loved his family and every moment spent was a treasure. He took every opportunity to hug, smile, and make everyone laugh with his silly and nonsense jokes. He loved his grandchildren with everything he had and wanted to spend every waking moment with them. He lived for his grandkids. He was a beloved Papa, his grandchildren always ran right to him and were ready to play and be silly. They are going to miss him dearly.
He had the best smile and laugh in the world. His whole countenance lit up and you could feel his happiness. Everyone that knew him will be forever blessed to have had him in their lives. He will be missed forever and ever.
Mark is survived by his wife, LeAnne; beloved mother, Donna; children, Adam (Anita), Cody (Maria), Amberle (Cade), Brittany (Billy), Tara (Josh), Allen (Maria); grandchildren, Draven, Hailey, Caila, Silas, Nalu, Taylor, Maxwell, Wiley, Annie, Loa, Shayden, Alani, Jaxon; siblings, Kathi (Rodney), Russell (Tracy), Gordon, and Annette “Susie” (Ron) and many loving nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by father, Grover; children, Darcey, Zachary, Eric; son-in-law, Joe.
A Viewing will be on Friday, June 30, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Memorial Redwood Mortuary, 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 1:00 PM at Westbrook Stake Center, 4113 West 6200 South, West Jordan, Utah. Friends may visit with the family prior to services from 12:00 noon to 12:45 PM.
Interment at Memorial Redwood Cemetery following services.
Please send condolences to the family at: www.memorialutah.comService Information
Viewing June 30, 2017 at 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Memorial Redwood Mortuary, 6500 South Redwood Road, South Jordan, Utah
Viewing July 1, 2017 at 12:00 Noon to 12:45 PM
Westbrook Stake Center, 4113 West 6200 South, West Jordan, Utah
Funeral Service
July 1, 2017 at 1:00 PM
Westbrook Stake Center, 4113 West 6200 South, West Jordan, Utah