J. Mark Dufner

John Mark Dufner, age 75, passed away on September 30, 2024. He was born to John George Dufner and Catherine Laverne Dufner in Granite City, Illinois. The first born of three. He was blessed with loving parents and a younger brother and sister, Marvin and Christie.

Mark was a beloved husband, father and brother, as well as a loving uncle and friend. He was known for his remarkable memory, tremendous athletic ability and exceptionally bold personality.

Throughout his life, Mark achieved many accomplishments in sports, professional speaking and memory training. He touched the lives of countless individuals through his unyielding drive and passion for all that was of interest to him.

There are many touted meanings of the name “Mark”. Courageous, Brave, Strong, Warlike are just a few. Though, the one Mark favored for himself, was “Big Hammer”. Mark was blessed with a big personality and when he entered a room his presence was always felt, from the life of the party to a bull in a China shop.

Mark was born a salesman. He loved Atlanta so much it was suggested that he must be receiving commissions from the Chamber of Commerce due to his relentless praise and promotion of what he called “the greatest city in the country and the most beautiful, especially in the springtime”.

Mark was bold in every way. His opinions, the way he dressed, his cheering for the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks and Georgia Bulldogs and his expressions of faith. Not a shy bone in his body, boldly proclaiming “Jesus is The Way and The Only Way”.

Mark was a gifted athlete. In his younger days he excelled in football as a running back. He graduated high school at Western Military Academy and was described as unstoppable in any sport he played. He went on to play football in college and later in the Canadian semi-pro league. His intense love of sports, and especially football, never faded.

Mark studied law and earned a degree yet chose to pursue sales and settled into a career as a professional speaker, teacher and you could say, entertainer as well. He often said people wanted to be educated AND entertained. He delivered on both and brought us a great deal of laughter, but I could say some tears as well.

He wasn’t an easy man at times, but that was just a product of his personality.

On a very cold day in early December 1983, complete with sleet and snow, Mark married the love of his life, Jane Harkins of Florissant, MO. After traveling and working in Boston, Chicago and Orlando, they settled in Atlanta and were blessed with a beautiful son, Jonathan. Mark’s first gift to his newborn son was a tiny football. Mark was thrilled to be a father and adored his son. In his last days, Mark spoke of him daily.

J. Mark Dufner will be deeply missed by his family and friends!!

A memorial service is being planned with details to be announced.