Clifton Medders

1955 - 2010

Clifton "Mark" Medders, 55, of Palm Springs, passed away peacefully Saturday November 20, 2010 at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Born June 28, 1955 in Nassawadox, he was the son of the late Clifton Medders and Gene Kelly Bushong. Mark graduated from Saint Augustine High School in St. Augustine, Florida. He attended Flagler College, also in St. Augustine while majoring in Business Administration and Journalism. He graduated cum laude in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science. Mark also attended a post graduate study program, Institute for Leadership Development at the University of Delaware from 1990-1992. Mark was a people person. In 1984 he was named Vice President of Administration and Public Affairs for Atlantic Publications. Prior to that time he had worked in sales in the produce business for over five years. From 1990-1992 Mark was the executive vice president of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce in Melfa, Va. and also concurrently the Executive Director of Virginia's Eastern Shore Tourism Commission. He moved to Palm Springs in 1992 and became the manager that opened the Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Palm Desert, Calif. in 1993. From 1996 to 1999 Mark was the program manager at the Mizell Senior Center in Palm Springs. A job opportunity opened back in the Philadelphia area and Mark moved back east in 2000 where he became the regional operations manager for Complient Corporation/Cardiac Science, Inc. The company instructed clients in the proper use of cardiac AEDs.
In 2004 Mark had the opportunity to move back to the desert where he became a Realtor. He was a member of the California Desert Association of Realtors. Mark is survived by his mother Gene Kelly Bushong and step-father Don Bushong of Parksley, Va. Other than his father, he was predeceased by a sister, Martha Medders in September 2009. Doctors and nurses at Eisenhower Medical Center provided so much care and support for Mark and his family over the years. Also, the Desert Cancer Foundation cannot be commended enough for helping Mark during these difficult times. The family also wishes to thank the many close friends that provided so much love and support during Mark's courageously fought battle with lung cancer. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Desert Cancer Foundation, 74091 Larrea Street, Palm Desert, Calif. 92260. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God. Peace to all! Arrangements by Wiefels in Palm Springs, Calif. and the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home; Parksley, Va. To View and sign this guestbook, please visit: mydesert.com/obituaries.