Obituary published on Legacy.com by Jacksonville Memory Gardens Funeral Home & Cemetery on Oct. 1, 2025.
Mark Eugene Brimhall, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2025, in Middleburg, Florida, at the age of 78. He was born on July 10, 1947, in Jacksonville, Florida, to Lee Stevenson Brimhall and Alice Mary Brooks.
Mark was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and lived his life as a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ. At a young age, he served a two-year mission in the California North Mission, an experience that strengthened the deep faith that would guide the rest of his life. Over the years, he humbly served in many callings including Sunday school and seminary teacher, bishop, counselor in the Florida Jacksonville Mission, and ultimately as a stake patriarch-roles in which he influenced countless lives with wisdom, kindness, and integrity.
After graduating from Lee High School in Jacksonville, Mark pursued higher education at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Animal Science. While at BYU, he met the love of his life, Joleen Portela, and they were sealed in marriage on August 10, 1972, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Though he once dreamed of working on a horse farm in Ocala, Mark made the decision to return to Jacksonville so Joleen could finish her education and they could begin their family together. He began a fulfilling 30-year career with DuPont, where he worked in various roles including surveyor, lab technician, lab supervisor, safety supervisor, purchasing manager, and mine planner. After retirement, he continued to share his knowledge by teaching with the North Florida Safety Council and devoted even more of his time to church service.
Mark was a devoted Florida Gators fan and enjoyed all things football. He loved horse and car racing, spending time at the racecar shop, and never passed up a good card game. He cherished traveling with family and friends-whether cross-country road trips to Utah and Idaho or attending sporting events and races. Above all, he loved his family deeply and reveled in the time he spent with his grandchildren. He was a wonderful storyteller, a man of great humor and mischief, and someone who never met a stranger. His warmth, loyalty, and spiritual strength left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.
Mark is survived by his loving wife of nearly 53 years, Joleen Portela Brimhall; his children Laura Brimhall Buschle (Christopher), Jason Scott Brimhall, and James Terrell Brimhall; and his grandchildren Cole Alan Buschle, Lee Spencer Buschle, Alaina Nicole Buschle, Kenton Scott Brimhall, and Kaston Harbor Brimhall. He is also survived by his sister Marcia Leavitt (Stanley) and sister-in-law Joyce Brimhall. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Dr. Rodney Brimhall.
A viewing will be held on Friday, August 1, 2025, from 5:00PM to 7:00PM at Jacksonville Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 111 Blanding Blvd,
Orange Park, FL. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 10:00AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 461 Blanding Blvd,
Orange Park, FL, with graveside dedication immediately following.
Mark's legacy of faith, love, service, and humor will live on in the lives of his family, friends, and all who had the blessing of knowing him.
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