MARK FREEBAIRN

Mark Romain Freebairn 1936 ~ 2010 Mark Romain Freebairn, beloved husband and sweetheart, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away on September 26, 2010 at his home. He chose to participate in a glioblastoma clinical trial to help with brain cancer research. Mark will be remembered for his gentle heart, courage, determination, desire to help others, and his devotion to his family and Church. As a young man, he served in the Southern Far East Mission for the LDS Church where he was one of the first missionaries in Taiwan. He loved the people, language and culture of China. He served in the U.S. military and was stationed in Germany for two years; He graduated with his bachelors and masters degrees from BYU. He served in many positions in the church and was dedicated and constant in his devotion to the Savior. Mark was proud of his ancestry and was diligent in family history. He gave many hours of leadership in the community serving on Uniting Neighbors and Emergency Preparedness councils. He was creative and sensitive and loved to learn. He studied Christ's life, the scriptures and prophets, and great writers, making detailed notes. He loved beautiful music, paintings, flowers, writings, performances. He truly followed the admonition of Paul: "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." Mark was born July 22, 1936 in Santa Monica, California to Mark Sheets Freebairn and Ruth Harris. He grew up in Salt Lake and later lived in Provo Utah, Chadron Nebraska, San Jose California, and River Heights Utah. He has resided in Bountiful Utah for the past 20 years. He married Phyllis Nola Fechser on November 10, 1962 in the Manti Temple. After the death of his young sweetheart on April 2, 1969, he married Cheryl Aletha Meservy February 8, 1972; they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. She was his "angel" and he was Cheryl's "miracle"; they shared love and joy and life's wonders and challenges for 38 years. Mark's legacy and joy was his family. Children of Mark, Phyllis and Cheryl include: Christine Cochran (Robert), Cheri Barnett (Kelly), Debra Ririe (Jeff), Michelle Freebairn, Lisa Fitzgerald-Karrick, Angela Hendrix (Todd), Jennifer Frome (Kimball), Lara Hale (Scott), Mark-David Freebairn (Jessie), Jonathan Freebairn (Meg), and Stephen Freebairn (Brooke). He is survived by his wife Cheryl, 11 children, 27 grandchildren and one brother, Richard Freebairn (Diane) of Milpitas, California. His wife Phyllis, his parents, and a second brother, Robert Freebairn and Robert's wife Mary preceded him in death. "I can never lose one whom I have loved unto the end; one to whom my soul cleaves so firmly that it can never be separated does not go away but only goes before." ­ St. Bernard of Clairvaux Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 29, 2010, at the Bountiful, Utah Orchard Stake Center, 3599 South Orchard Drive, Bountiful. Friends may pay their respects at the Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah, September 28th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and on September 29th from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Bountiful Utah Orchard Stake Center prior to the funeral. Interment will be at the Centerville Utah Cemetery. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mark Freebairn to the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter­day Saints at give.lds.org/pef