Mark Winston Shiflett Sr.

Mark Winston Shiflett Sr, age 66, passed away peacefully at home on August 30th, 2025, in Tampa, FL. He was born in Birmingham, AL on November 24, 1958, to Frank Winston Shiflett and Nelda Elizabeth (Thompson) Shiflett.

Mark’s passion and talent for baseball earned him a scholarship to Auburn University. He then went on to pitch professionally for the New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, and Kansas City Royals. After his playing days were over, Mark worked as a pitching instructor and scout for the New York Yankees before starting his own pitching academy for young players. Mark was proud of all the young men he helped coach to Major League careers. A lifelong Bama fan, Mark could light up any room with a hearty “Roll Tide.”

Mark married his beloved wife, Roxanne, in 2017 at Paradise Hills in Blairsville, Georgia. Mark is survived by his mother, Nelda Shiflett of Birmingham; wife, Roxanne (Nero) Shiflett of Tampa; children, Mark Jr (Cheyenne) Shiflett of St. Petersburg, Brittany (Kyle) Lankford of Bowling Green, and Christa Lopez (Kevin Maloney) of St. Petersburg, Sara (Tyler) Blume of Atlanta; grandchildren, Kaylee, Eleanor, Chloe, Allie Mae, Ruby Jean, Lorenzo, Luca; aunt, Janice Johnson; uncle, Jack Shiflett; Rhonda Thompson Brasher; and many other loving family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Frank Winston Shiflett; aunt, Frances Shiflett; uncles, Jimmy Shiflett, Billy Shiflett, and Tommy Thompson.

Family and Friends are invited to come together on Saturday, October 11th, for a Celebration of Life service and reception at Blount & Curry Life Event Center – MacDill, 605 S. MacDill Ave, Tampa, FL 33609. There will be time for family and friends to gather at 1:00pm and the Celebration of Life service will begin at 2:00pm. Guests are invited to stay for a catered reception with food and beverages from 3:00-5:00pm.

Mark will be remembered as a perfect Southern gentleman with endless patience and a terrific sense of humor. He loved collecting sharks’ teeth at the beach, breathing the mountain air of Blairsville, Georgia, and, most of all, spending time with family. He spoiled Roxanne, loved his children, and playfully teased his grandkids. Mark made everyone who met him feel like family.