Mark Jeffries Mcwhirter

Born February 13, 1968

Born to Eternal Life February 18, 2023

It is with profound loss that we inform you of the death of Mark Jeffries McWhirter. In a tragic accident, Mark was hit by a vehicle while biking the early morning hours of February 14, 2023, the day after his 55th birthday. He was on life support for the next few days and died on February 18, 2023, the same day as his father’s funeral Mass and Celebration of Life.

He was a lifelong committed Catholic, a beloved flight attendant for America West/American Airlines, a compassionate, thoughtful, and giving friend, a loyal adopted son of Notre Dame, and a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, uncle, co-worker and employer. He leaves behind his loving wife of nearly 21 years, Katie, and four sons: Thomas Daniel (19), Benedict Leo (17), Dominic Croix (15) and Vincent Rock (12).

Mark graduated from Tempe High School and received his bachelors’ degree in History from Arizona State University. He spent a year of service in Peru to support the work of the Congregation of Holy Cross and has maintained a life-long connection to friends and family in Chile, Peru, and Ecuador. He has worked for America West/American Airlines since 1991, briefly in reservations and ground crew, and then for most his 30-plus year career as a highly skilled flight attendant who was beloved by crewmates. Mark was also a property owner and manager, interacting with hundreds of people yearly and highly respected by the people who worked with and for him.

More than anything else, Mark was a humble, kind, and caring person who was gracious in all his interactions, helpful and loyal to his family and friends, fun to be with, and always treated everyone with dignity. He and Katie were committed to raising their sons as faith-filled Catholic young men who are bilingual, socially conscious, and caring. Every year he traveled with his sons to Chile or Ecuador to have long Spanish immersion experiences as part of their formation and to enhance their Spanish language development. Mark loved being in the outdoors and backpacking and hiking with his four boys and his Labrador retrievers, as well as street and mountain biking. Mark made an impact on everyone he met, and even on some he did not. As an organ donor, Mark has saved three other lives.

It is an understatement to say that Mark was a huge fan of Notre Dame football. But he treasured even more the mission, values, reach, and impact of the University of Notre Dame, where his son Thomas is now a student.

Mark lived and died in the full love of his family and is survived by his wife Kathryn Jo (Katie) McWhirter (nee Millard), his children: Thomas Daniel, Benedict Leo, Dominic Croix, and Vincent Rock; his mother Mary Clare McWhirter; his four siblings and their spouses: Robert J. McWhirter (Gina Huerta), Benedict McWhirter (Ellen Hawley McWhirter), Anna McWhirter (John Pitner), and Paula McWhirter (Mark Todd McWhirter [nee Schrader]); 13 nieces and nephews and 5 grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. J. Jeffries McWhirter, his brother Paul John McWhirter, and uncles Fr. Robert Plasker, C.S.C, and Fr. Alexander Plasker, O.S.B., with whom he was very close.

Mark was a lifelong learner and hoped that all four of his sons will continue their educations. In lieu of flowers, donations to a memorial account for a 529 college plan will support this dream for his boys and are greatly appreciated. Venmo your gift to @McWhirterBoysEducation. Zelle will also be accepted.

Mark’s Celebration of Life will be held at the Arizona State University All Saints Catholic Newman Center on Saturday, March 11, visitation at 9:00 a.m., Mass at 10:00 a.m. Lunch and reception immediately following at the Newman Center: 230 E. University Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281.

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Es con profunda pérdida que les informamos de la muerte de Mark Jeffries McWhirter. En un trágico accidente, Mark fue atropellado por un vehículo mientras andaba en bicicleta la madrugada del 14 de febrero de 2023, el día después de cumplir 55 años. Estuvo con soporte vital durante los siguientes días y murió el 18 de febrero de 2023, el mismo día de la Misa del funeral de su padre y la Celebración de la Vida. Esta fue una tragedia sumada al profundo dolor de toda la familia y la comunidad.

La Misa de funeral para Mark McWhirter será el sabado, 11 de Marzo con velorio a las 9:00 y la Misa a las 10:00 de la mañana. Recepción y almuerzo seguirá. Todo se llevará a cabo en ASU Catholic Newman Center 230 E. University Drive, Tempe AZ, 85281.