Mark Mills Whitlock
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Mark Mills Whitlock, 61-year-old lifetime Worland resident passed away suddenly on January 3, 2019 at the Washakie Medical Center in Worland.
Mark was born in Worland on May 10, 1957, the third of five children born to Eugene Anderson and Charlotte (Mills) Whitlock. He was welcomed home by brothers, Craig and Wayne and prepared the way for Boyd and baby sister LaRae. He would often joke that he gained his love for reading because he was born in the reading room of the Washakie County Library (former Washakie Memorial Hospital).
Mark grew up spending many, many days at the Red Fork Ranch, riding horses, spending time in the mountains, loving every aspect of the outdoors. He graduated from Worland High School in 1975. He attended Utah State University for a short time before serving in the Navajo Speaking, Arizona, Holbrook Mission. He returned to U.S.U. after his mission and desiring to become a drum major for the marching band, he made an appointment to meet with the band director. As he waited to speak with him, he eyed a tall, brown-haired beauty who happened to be a squad leader for a section of flutes. He knew at that moment he was to marry her. It took him about a week to finally ask her out. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple on March 7, 1980. To this union were born three children, Jennifer, Vanessa and Benjamin.
After changing his major a couple of times, Mark decided to become an electrician working for various businesses for six years. He then branched out to the Oil Industry working for Baker Lift Systems doing both electrical, sales and service work. When the oil fields lost their appeal, Mark decided to try something completely different. He became an insurance agent for a time. Even though he had worked at different occupations, he always dabbled in taxidermy. He first learned about it as a youth at the hand of his grandfather, Milo Mills, then later in life it became a full-time occupation. His dream, Wildlife Creations, became a reality in 2004.
Mark was a man of many talents. He worked hard and he played harder, but recovered slowly. Time with his family meant everything to him. Many wonderful days were spent at the family cabin in the mountains. He seldom met a stranger who wouldn't become a friend within minutes. His laugh was contagious and you could always tell by the twinkle in his eye if you were about to "be had". Mark was always about doing good. He served his fellow man with an attitude of lending a hand-up, not a hand-out.
Mark was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served in many positions. Whether he was serving the youth or at the Nursing Home for Sunday services, he was in his element.
He was preceded in death by his mother in September 2018, sister LaRae in November 2002 and father-in-law, Frank Dupree in October 2004.
He is survived by his loving wife, April, married 38 years, father, Eugene A. Whitlock of Worland; children, Jenn Lotusson of Riverton Utah, Vanessa (Shannon) Byrd of Worland and Ben (Brianna) Whitlock of Chandler, Arizona; grandchildren Hunter, Daphne, Guendylan, Tatum, Ike, Jaxon, Hayden and Brooklyn; brothers, Craig (SuZann) Whitlock of Worland, Wayne (Allyson) Whitlock of Los Altos, California and Boyd (AnnaMarie) Whitlock of Ten Sleep, mother-in-law, Norma Dupree of Providence, UT; brothers-in-law Michael (Debby) Dupree of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mark (Janet) Dupree of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Sisters-in-law, Colette (Michael) Yates of North Logan, Utah, Lisa (Kermit) Price of Millville, Utah, and Lori (Eric) Derr of Hyrum, Utah and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 10, 2018 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Worland. Burial will follow at the Riverview Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to services at the church. Memorial donations may be made to a place near and dear to his heart, O.W.L. Unlimited c/o Bryant Funeral Home, PO Box 524, Worland, WY 82401. Online condolences may be made at http://www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.
