Mark Harston

Markley Henson Harston

Born in Lexington, Kentucky on June 11, 1949

Died on September 25, 2025 in Farr West, Utah at the age of 76.

Mark's early years were spent in Kentucky, Colorado, Montana and Utah while his father was receiving his psychiatric training. He attended and graduated from (Brigham Young) B.Y. High School in Provo, Utah where he participated in the sport of wrestling. He was undefeated in the seasonal competition during his senior year. Mark attended Brigham Young University and served as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Oregon and Idaho. He married Valerie Hansen, they had 6 children, then later divorced.

Gaining a love for horses in his youth, Mark became a skilled horseman and trainer. He competed in local, regional and national Arabian horse shows, winning awards in the categories of Halter, Trail, Western Pleasure and English Pleasure. He later became an avid disc-golfer and competed in tournaments locally as well as throughout the Midwest. He was proud of all his trophies and he enjoyed getting out with his disc-golf buddies.

Mark was forced into early retirement from the Mitsubishi Company because of a back injury which, along with diabetes, defined the remainder of his life.

Mark had a sense of humor. He was a quiet man, not flashy, but when he spoke, he was worth listening to. He influenced many by his example. He had a strong testimony of his Savior, Jesus Christ. Shared by a close family member, "He was the one who influenced my testimony the most."

Mark is survived by four sons, two daughters and 13 grandchildren:

Mike (Monica) Harston, Lehi, Utah and grandchildren Khalani, Wesly, and Kayla

Matt Harston of Morton, Illinois

Becky (Shawn) Hammond of Ogden and grandchildren Trey, Wade, Celeste and Tate

Melinda (Nathan) Noakes of Spokane, Washington and grandchildren Ethan, Luke (Skyla) of Provo, Utah, Lindsey, currently serving a mission in Brazil, Emmett, and Myra

Mitchell Harston of Bloomington, Illinois and grandson Adrian

Monty Harston of Mountain Home, Arkansas.

Mark is also survived by four sisters and a brother:

Marlene (Ken) Matheson of Provo, Utah

Merrily (Greg) Stringham of Lehi, Utah

Myles (Nancy) of Roanoke, Illinois

Michelle (Mark) Hopkins, of Minersville, Utah currently serving a mission in Iquitos, Peru

Melanie (Richard) Johnson of Orem.

Mark is preceded in death by his parents, Marlow Richards Harston and Mable Viva Henson Harston, and two nephews, Michael Matheson, and Jason Harston.

A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, October 3, 2025, at the Orem City Cemetery, 1520 North 800 East, Orem, Utah. Business casual dress recommended.

After the graveside services, memories will be shared by family members in celebration of Mark's life at 1929 West 1500 North in Lehi, Utah.