Justin A. Mark, 43, of West Des Moines, died Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. Justin passed away at the University of Iowa Hospital after a courageous battle with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, a rare liver disease.
Justin was born to David Mark and Margaret “Margie” Deggendorf James on Nov. 22, 1980, in Burlington. Justin graduated from Burlington High School.
He worked for Kreg Tool in West Des Moines. Justin loved biking, baseball, and all things outdoors. During his time working at Reimen Gardens, he developed a passion for landscaping and gardening. He loved going to the local farmers markets. His family would often come to him for advice on their projects and he talked about someday having his own house with a yard to design. Every year Justin looked forward to the Mark Men’s Backbone Fishing Trip where he spent less time fishing and more time connecting with his Dad, brother, uncle, and brothers-in-law. Justin had a quiet nature but loved spending time with his many friends and large family. He had an infectious smile that would light up a room. He was an exceptional listener, full of joy and he spread his optimism to those around him. Justin was a walking jukebox and often interjected a funny or poignant song lyric into conversations. He had a biting sense of humor and loved to laugh with his family and friends. Justin loved travel and adventure: skydiving, whitewater rafting, and, after surviving gallbladder cancer, Justin threw his bike in the back of his car and drove around to different states he was interested in living. He would camp in his car at night and go exploring during the day. He ended up moving to Salt Lake City for a year before finding his way back home.
Justin was exceedingly generous and kind-hearted; to know him was to love him. He was loved deeply and will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his father David (Laura) Mark of North Carolina; Step-father Mike James of Sperry; siblings Jason (Christine) Mark of Arizona, Karen (Jamie) Brookhart of Muscatine, Linda Vaughn (Jerome Allen) of Altoona and Susan (Tim) McCabe of North Liberty, step-sister Jenna (Spencer) Kalk of North Carolina; nieces and nephews Corrin (Matt) Noel, Christine (Marcus) Beck, Lucy, Grace, Lincoln, Gavin, & Vaughn Brookhart, Austin Selby, Sebastian Vaughn, Grayson Allen, Caitlin & Jaden McCabe, Kylee, Avery, Nora, Jackson & Spencer Kalk; Uncle Mike and Aunt Janet Mark of Illinois, Aunt Helen Scott of Burlington; cousins Tony (Joanna) Scott, Mark Scott, Sara Mark, Rachel Mark and great nieces Addison & Olivia Noel and numerous other cousins and aunts and uncles.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Margie James, brother, Brian Mark and his godparents, Uncle Bob and Aunt Sharon Deggendorf.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, at Lunning Chapel.
The funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery on Monday.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Justin’s name to Reiman Gardens at
Iowa State University, where Justin loved working to help inspire an appreciation of the beauty of nature.