Steven Jon Mark

Steven Jon “Steve” Mark, age 75, passed away on August 4, 2026, in Spokane, Washington. Steve was born on December 24, 1950, in Rochester, New Hampshire, to Leslie Earl Mark and Erlene Freda Thumith Mark.

Steve’s parents were ordained Christian pastoral missionaries, and much of his childhood was shaped by their ministry. The family pastored churches throughout the New England states before moving to Tustin, California, when Steve was six years old. At the age of nine, Steve moved with his family to Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, where his parents continued their missionary work.

Steve spent much of his childhood and youth in Mexico before returning to the United States to attend LeTourneau College in Longview, Texas. His early years gave him a life rich with many friendships and experiences in different places, cultures, churches, and communities.

One summer during college, while visiting his grandmother in Tustin, California, Steve met the love of his life, Barbara Lynn Myers. They married on May 26, 1974, and over the years made their home in Wisconsin, Oregon, California, and Washington. For 52 years, they built a life together and raised their three children, Sarah Lynn Mark Pittson, Steven Aaron Mark, and Seth David Mark.

Steve is survived by his wife, Barbara Myers Mark; his brother, Leslie David Mark; his daughter, Sarah Pittson; his sons, Steven Aaron Mark and Seth David Mark; and his grandchildren, Christopher P. Gridley, Nathan T. Gridley, Jenna R. Mark, Elise C. Mark, and Eva L. Pittson.

He was preceded in death by his father, Leslie Earl Mark, and his mother, Erlene Thumith Mark.

Steve enjoyed the outdoors and had a deep love of nature, camping, kayaking, fishing, and photography. He spent many years working in agriculture, dairy, and machinery, but the work he will be most remembered for was his lifelong dedication to youth ministry. Throughout his adult life, Steve devoted himself to serving young people through high school church groups, outreach trips, in-home foster care, and 15 years of service at Valley Teen Ranch boys home in Madera, California.

His time serving in ministry in the Kingdom of Tonga was another especially meaningful chapter of his life, one he shared with his wife and children. The relationships formed there grew into lasting kinships that Steve treasured and maintained until the day he passed.

Some of the family’s favorite memories were made during frequent camping trips to San Simeon and to lakes throughout California, Washington, and Idaho, where fishing and kayaking were always part of the adventure. Steve loved Mexican food and cooked it almost daily.

He also had a lifelong love of music, with tastes that ranged from 1960s folk and contemporary Christian folk and rock to praise and worship. Among his favorites were Randy Stonehill, Michael W. Smith, Bryan Duncan, The Gaithers, Guy Penrod, Paul Stookey, and Peter, Paul and Mary. Steve sang and played acoustic guitar, serenading Barbara during their courtship and later filling their home with music. That love of music lives on in his children and grandchildren, many of whom share his natural musical ability and find the same joy in singing and playing instruments, including percussion, guitar, and ukulele.

Steve’s faith in God was the central part of his life. From his upbringing as the son of missionaries to his later involvement with the music at church to his many years in youth ministry, faith, family, and music remained threads woven throughout his story.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Steve’s memory, with details to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Valley Teen Ranch. https://valleyteenranch.org/