Mark Ford McKinlay

Mark Ford McKinlay, aged 68, passed away peacefully at home on June 7, 2026. Mark was born in Rexburg, Idaho on August 18, 1957, to Thelma and Blaine McKinlay. The family then moved to Merced, California where he grew up with siblings Rod, Bonnie, Gail and Colleen. During his school years Mark participated in swimming and water polo and was selected for Boys State. He also played the tuba and was active in debate. He was an avid fan of the San Francisco Giants and fondly remembered nights listening to KMET out of LA, which set off his lifelong love of Jim Morrison and the Doors.

Mark learned the value of hard work from his parents, and he worked hot summers driving land leveling equipment for his dad. Mark served an LDS Mission in Madrid, Spain, where he immersed himself in the local art and culture, including an ill-advised foray into running with the bulls. Mark attended BYU after returning home, where he started as a chemistry major, but being an artist at heart, ended up with a fine arts degree in lithography—a seed planted while roaming the art museums in Spain.

After graduation Mark worked in Chicago then returned to Utah where he met Laurie Haynie on a blind date (arranged by his sister Gail, who served in the same LDS mission as Laurie). The two were married in the Salt Lake Temple the following year, then returned to Chicago so Mark could attend business school at Northwestern University. After graduation they decided to stay in Chicago and eventually settled in Wilmette, just north of the city, where they raised their four children—Michael Ann, Carson, Hunter and Morgan. Mark was a devoted Cubs fan and spent many happy hours with his family at Wrigley Field, learning to live with the heartbreak that goes with being part of Cub Nation.

Mark was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and served faithfully in many capacities, including Sunday School and Seminary teacher, Counselor in the Bishopric, and Bishop of the North Shore First Ward, and Counselor in the Stake Presidency in Louisville. He was always happy to provide these acts of service, and many lives were blessed as a result.

Mark worked in the insurance industry throughout his career, and after twenty years in Chicago, his work took him and his family to Louisville, Kentucky for four years then to Omaha, Nebraska for another four years, before health issues caused him to take early retirement. That is when he and Laurie returned to Salt Lake City—despite vowing for years that such a move would never happen. Mark took advantage of this unexpected free time to devote himself to studying Isaiah, a never-ending source of wisdom, insight, and joy for him.

In recent years, Mark loved spending every chance he could—between countless doctors’ appointments—at their home in the southern Utah desert, which he called his “happy place.” He enjoyed the peace, solitude and beauty of the red rock landscape and loved having his family there with him. Mark’s greatest source of joy was his children and grandchildren, and loved being surrounded by them. His proudest title was “Papa Mac.”

Mark faced multiple serious health issues during the last fourteen years of his life, resulting in open heart surgery, kidney failure, dialysis, strokes, diabetes, and cancer, all of which he faced with faith and dignity. He went through the refiner’s fire and came out with great humility and an even greater love for his Savior Jesus Christ. He viewed his trials as a learning experience and through it all, he never complained.

Mark is survived by his wife Laurie, children Michael Ann (Jacob) Bagley, Carson (Michael) Walter, Hunter (Olivia), Morgan (Charlie Batt), grandchildren Redford, Charlotte and Sydney, brother Rodney and sister Colleen Logan. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Douglas, and sisters Gail McKinlay and Bonnie Valek.

A visitation will be held on Friday June 12, 2026, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the meetinghouse on 2080 East 5165 South in Holladay Utah, with another visitation on Saturday June 13th from 10:00-10:45 a.m., followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. at the same location. Interment will be at the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park 3401 South Highland Drive, Millcreek, Utah 84106

Please send any floral arrangements to the church or the memorial park.