Mark was a world traveler by the age of 13, having visited Italy, Greece, and Brazil with his Navy family. They finally settled in Jacksonville Beach in the 1970’s. Mark went to Fletcher Jr and Sr High where he and his brother played for the fledgling Fletcher Soccer program under Coach Popell. Just before his graduation he was involved in a motorcycle accident that required many months of recovery but with determination he managed to walk with his class in 1978.
Mark was a man of many talents and mastered them all. In 1983 he married Penny Dean, another beaches native, and spent the next years nurturing his new family, a son, Christopher and a daughter, Cassandra.
In 2008, he was remarried to Denise Simpson, a Jacksonville resident, as well as his best friend. He became a loving stepfather to her three sons, Christopher, A.D.S, and Winston (Corey) Simpson. Mark was a caring and loving man who had a heart big enough for all of his family and friends. His big smile and hearty laugh blessed any occasion. He was a great son, brother, husband, father and friend. He will be terribly missed by all.
He is survived by his mother Manuela “Nellie” Messer, his loving wife Denise Messer and her sons Christopher Simpson, A.D.S, and Corey Simpson of Jacksonville, Florida; his son Christopher Messer, daughter Cassandra (Harley) Katzaman and the mother of his children Penny Messer of Palm Bay, Florida and grandson Harley Jr. His brother Michael (Annah) Messer and family of Las Vegas, Nevada. His sister Marie (Richard) Adams and family of Jacksonville, Florida. He is preceded in death by his father Donald R. Messer.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at 2pm at Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home, 850 St. Johns Bluff Rd. N., Jacksonville, FL 32225. Interment will follow at the Chapel Hills Memory Gardens. A Celebration of Life will be held later the same day at his mothers' home.
A viewing will be held on Friday, September 5, 2014 from 6-8pm at the funeral home.
Arrangements under the direction and care of Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home 641-9755. An online guestbook is open to share your thoughts with the family at www.hardage-giddenschapelhills.com
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