Mark Allen Sykes

Mark Allen Sykes passed away on Saturday, February 28, at home with his wife by his side, after a valiant struggle with Stage IV melanoma. He was diagnosed in October 2012 and was given two months to live. Mark was a fighter and lived almost two and a half years past his diagnosis. Mark was born on February 21, 1962 in Ames, Iowa to Dwane J. Sykes and Patricia Pack Sykes. Mark spent his youth with his family living in Brazil, Alaska and Utah. Mark graduated from Orem High School and BYU with a degree in psychology. The day after Mark received his M.B.A from George Washington University, he married Margaret ("Meg") Bennion Sykes on May 9, 1987 in the Washington, D.C. Temple. Mark was employed by Marriott Corporation, Aramark, and, for the last nine years by The Grand America Hotels and Resorts as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mark leaves behind his parents, his siblings, Clint (Felicia), Scott (Jennifer), Diane (Kent) Bartholomew, Renee (Tony) Rhoten, Joy (Jeff) Fair, and Shane (Colleen), his wife, Margaret Bennion Sykes, and their children, Bennion Owen, Cassandra Jasmine, Porter Truman, Justice Bowen, and Maxwell Carver. Mark was preceded in death by twins, Heber and Wilma.

Mark truly lived life to the fullest; he was determined and focused to achieve all he set out to do. Mark served an LDS mission to Brazil and was very active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many positions in the church especially with the young men.

He was always active in sports and high adventures until his body became too weak. Even during his final months of life, he finished a 206 bike ride over mountain passes with his brother, Scott, beside him, helping him to the finish line. He also loved going on adventures with his family and pushing himself to the limits doing marathons, triathlons, an ironman, adventure races, bike races, sailing and extreme hiking and exploring. His last great adventure was in 2012, guiding his family group down 280 miles through The Grand Canyon on the Colorado River.

He climbed Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest mountain outside of Asia, without oxygen, forged the Amazon to the headwaters to scale Pico da Neblina, the highest mountain in Brazil, climbed the White Mountains in New Hampshire and Mt. Hood in Oregon.

Above all, he delighted in being a father and loving husband. He taught his children hard work and determination to always do their best.   

A viewing will be held at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 1941 N. Main, Farmington Utah on Friday, March 6, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM with a Memorial Service on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at The Grand America Hotel from 10:00 to 12:00 noon. Following the service, interment will be at the Farmington City Cemetery. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Huntsman Cancer Institute for their wonderful care during the entire course of his cancer and for prolonging his life, especially Dr. Kenneth Grossman, who became beloved by the Sykes family for his care. The family would also like to thank all of their friends and neighbors who have loved and supported them during their entire time in Farmington and especially over the past two and a half years.