On December 3, 2023 Mark Dewhirst passed away peacefully after a long illness surrounded by family in Hospice Care at UC Davis Hospital. He was 47 years old. Mark was a good soul, always curious about life and strived to create a good life for himself and his family in California. Sadly, his body wore out before his spirit and will to live.

Mark was born in Ettrick Wisconsin on October 11, 1976. For the next five years he traveled with his parents who were part of The Farm community, living in Wisconsin, Tennessee, Guatemala, Toronto and Detroit before settling in Kalamazoo. He attended the Kazoo School, Hillside Middle School and Kalamazoo Central High School where he developed passions for creative writing, painting and music.

At age 22, Mark moved to California to be closer to his mother, aunt and grandmother. He loved living in California and remained there for the rest of his life. He lived in Santa Cruz, San Diego, Palm Desert and Sacramento. He ran a successful business that linked people with in-patient detox centers and sober-living homes.

For many years Mark struggled with substance abuse problems which eventually compromised his health. It took him a long time to overcome his demons. He eventually got clean and sober and stayed sober for the last years of his life.

When he was well enough, Mark loved shooting hoops, playing tennis, sketching, acrylic painting, bicycling /working on bikes and photography. He built an enormous multi-sports card collection. He was a huge NBA fan, especially of LeBron James and the Lakers, not to mention a passionate San Francisco 49ers fan. Mark enjoyed visiting his grandmother, talking with her, and helping her with gardening and landscape projects.

Mark is survived by his father, Thomas Dewhirst, his step-mom, Lynn Jones, both of Kalamazoo Michigan, and his sister, Hannah Dewhirst, of Lexington Kentucky. In California, he is survived by his mother, Lisa Alexander, his grandmother, Doris St Germaine, and his aunt, Julie St Germaine.

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