Mark Wayne Whitehead, 68

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mark Wayne Whitehead, 68, of Kalispell. Mark was burdened with several health conditions which he fought with unwavering courage and grace and died surrounded by his close-knit family and his devoted wife of 38 years, Tami, who provided vigilant caregiving throughout his illness.

Mark was born in Kalispell to local legends Richard “Nibs” and Cecil Whitehead, where he joined his sister, Debbie, and began his lifetime adventure. As a boy, he fell in love with the vast Montana wilderness. He spent thousands of hours exploring, hunting and fishing and mastered essential tasks like land navigation without electronics, understanding terrain, weather patterns, animal behavior and plant life. He respected the raw power of nature rather than try to conquer it. He passed this wisdom and knowledge down to his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Mark was also a gifted athlete participating in baseball, boxing, wrestling, and arm wrestling.

As a young man, Mark developed many talents including carpentry, mechanics, shooting sports, car racing and he had a natural aptitude to create works of art from wood. He was an excellent free hand painter, and he had an eye for beauty and an ability to make something from his imagination using thoughtful ingenuity.

Mark had a strong work ethic. His first of many jobs was an attendant at full-service gas station, where as a boy he performed oil changes, tire replacements and everything in between required for automobiles. After high school he worked many jobs including concrete forming, carpentry, and truck driving. He ultimately purchased his own trucks and operated Whitehead Trucking. Later, Mark drove for several contractors, operating heavy machinery and driving trucks. Along the way, he worked for the filmmakers who created “Winter Hawk” and “Heaven’s Gate” which were partially filmed in the Flathead Valley, he was Chris Chistopherson and Olivia Newton John’s driver.

He is survived by his loving wife Tami; his children, Amber (R.T.), Jeremy (Sarah), Tracie (Rob), and Alisha (Dallas); 15 grandchildren; and 4 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Mark has three siblings: Debbie, Byron (Peggy), and Sherri (Michael); his in-law siblings, Ron (Shirley), Gail (Steve), Lance (Rose), Gwendy (Bert), Cathy, Sammie, Donnie, Danny, Todd (Yvonne) and Laurie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard “Nibs” and Cecil Whitehead and Tami’s parents Don and Lorraine Schultz, brother Kenny, in-law siblings, Ray, Larry, Joylynn and niece Jennifer.

Please join friends and family for a special celebration of Mark’s life from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 26 at the new Somers Fire Hall at 784 Somers Road. A delicious meal and soft beverages will be provided.