Obituary

Mark Jeffreys, a brilliant and beloved father and friend, passed away on January 26, 2025 at the age of 62. Born on August 31, 1962 to Harriet and James Robert Jeffreys, in Chilton Hospital, Pompton Plains, New Jersey, Mark grew up in Lincoln Park, New Jersey. 

He attended The Stony Brook School, a Christian academy on Long Island, where he excelled academically. The school librarian served as his mentor and encouraged him to learn about the history of rock and roll, sparking an interest in writing and culture. Mark earned an MA in English at the University of Montana. He completed a Ph.D. in English Literature from Emory University in 1990 and later did a second Ph.D. from the University of Utah in Anthropology around 2003. 

Throughout his life, Mark embraced a spirit of adventure, traveling extensively across the globe. He cherished his travels to Namibia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, and Russia. He had many fond memories of summers spent in British Columbia, Canada with his daughter Sequoia. 

Mark’s academic career spanned several institutions. He taught at Morehouse College, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Utah, Utah Valley University, and Utah Tech University. He wrote about poetry and technology. He was known by family, colleagues, students, and friends for his intellect, wit, poetic expression, and compassion. During the later part of his life, he was drafting poetry continually, always jotting down phrases that resonated with him.

Mark is survived by his daughter Sequoia, and siblings: Alleene Dean, Clark Jeffreys, Kimberly Dillon, James E. Jeffreys, and Alice DeNino. He was preceded in death by his brothers, John Jeffreys and Peter Jeffreys, and parents Harriet and James Robert Jeffreys.

His memorial/wake will be held on Saturday, February 8, from 2-5pm at 62 Winderland Lane, Springdale, UT 84767.