Photo courtesy of Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel
Pensacola, Florida
May 3, 1967 – Jan 28, 2025
Joseph "Mark" Stringfellow, 57, of Gulf Breeze, FL passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
Mark was born in Pensacola, FL on May 3, 1967, and lived most of his life in Gulf Breeze. He graduated from Gulf Breeze High, where he was a star basketball player and made memories with teammates who would become lifelong friends. His natural athletic talent, passion, and dedication earned him a scholarship to play basketball at Troy State University. He also made many great memories playing competitive beach volleyball with close friends. He taught and coached sports at both Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Catholic High School, and he spent 28 years as a P.E. teacher at Gulf Breeze Middle where he positively impacted thousands of students.
Mark married Dodi Kathleen Cobia on May 4, 1996, and together they had three children: Troy, Luke, and Sophie. He attended St. Ann Catholic Church, where he was an usher. He loved doing things with his family: coaching and watching his children play sports, playing tennis, taking trips, and spending quality time together. He also enjoyed playing cards with friends, making others laugh, sports trivia, good music, and great food.
Mark will be remembered most as a loving husband, a gentle father, a caring son and brother, and a devoted friend. He was kind, a good listener, humble, and was known as a man of great moral character.
He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Artis and Doris Stringfellow; maternal grandparents, Pelham and Lucille Chastang; uncle, Buck Pohlmann; and nephew, Cody Cobia.
Mark is survived by his wife, Dodi; his children, Troy (Rachael), Luke (Bella), and Sophie; his parents, Bucky Stringfellow and Carolyn Schmitz; his sisters, Tonya Pfeifle, Sarah Ritchie, and Brooke Hartmann; as well as many loving relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held 2:30pm until a Funeral Mass begins at 3:30pm Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at St. Ann Catholic Church, Gulf Breeze, FL, with Msgr. Luke Hunt celebrant. A light reception will follow in the parish hall.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Gulf Breeze Middle School P.E. Department in memory of Coach Stringfellow.
Read MoreDodi, I just heard from Nina about the loss of your husband. I am so very sorry. Keeping you and your family in my prayers.
Tina Wilson
February 21, 2025 | Orange Beach, AL | Friend
To the Stringfellow family:
We are deeply saddened to hear about your loss. Our hearts go out to you and your family during this difficult time. Please know that you have our sincerest condolences. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that the memories of Mark bring you comfort and peace in the days ahead. (HealthDrive)
Rory Kallfelz
February 05, 2025 | Framingham, MA | Coworker
To the Stringfellow Family:
Please accept the sincere and heartfelt condolences from everyone at HealthDrive. We are very sorry for your loss and are grieving with you during this difficult time. We hope the days to come will bring peace and healing for all of you.
Dan Baker @ the HealthDrive Team
February 05, 2025 | Framingham, MA | Coworker
Dodie, Troy, Luke and Sophie,
We are heartbroken with you and are so very sorry for the loss of your beloved husband and father. Keeping you all in prayers for God’s merciful healing and comfort as you grieve.
Love, MaryAnn Owens (Steve, Chelsea, Christina and Trey)
MaryAnn Owens
February 04, 2025 | Gulf Breeze, FL | Friend
To Mark's family and friends, my deepest condolences to you on Mark's passing. I got to "know" Mark through his active participation in an on-line forum related to the Replay Basketball board game. Mark's love for basketball clearly shone through every post he made in the Forum, and he was respected and admired by all in our community. Granting you much strength and peace in this difficult time. Dave Loparco
Dave Loparco
February 03, 2025 | Riverside, CT | Friend
Dodi,
My heart breaks for you. Mark was a wonderful person and wonderful influence on thousands of students. He is greatly missed and we all wrap our arms around you in this terrible time.
Christy Stump
February 02, 2025 | Pensacola, FL | Coworker
Dear Dodi,
I am so sorry to hear you have lost Mark at such a young age. There are no words, just a. Heart full of compassion for you and your family. May you and your family find peace and healing, so you can count as blessings the time you and Mark had together. God Bless you, Ann Whibbs Brown
Ann Brown
February 02, 2025 | Pensacola, FL | Friend
To all Mark’s family. I grew up with Mark in Gulf Breeze. We are the same age, same graduation class. Mark was a very wholesome person from all I remember. He was always caring and charismatic. I really enjoyed his friendship. I am sorry for your loss and I know of the great life of service he led that his soul will be rewarded in heaven. I wish I could be there for his Mass, but I cannot in person, but thoughts will be with you all. I will add him to my prayer list. Love always, Chris Hall
Chris Hall
February 02, 2025 | Charlotte, NC | Friend
Dear Stringfellow family, I am so sorry for your sudden loss and know that this must be an incredibly heart-wrenching and painful time for all of you. Words alone do not suffice in the face of such heartache. Knowing Troy and Luke as a former teacher at Pensacola Catholic High School and the wonderful young men they were and undoubtedly still are, it is easy to imagine what kind of a man Mark was--faithful, hard-working, intelligent, and generous (plus a pretty good athlete in his day, I...
Dcn. Chris Holcomb
February 01, 2025 | Pensacola, FL
