Mark Richard Hefner, 64, of Cary, North Carolina passed away on September 2, 2023 after a brief but brave battle with cancer. He was born on January 18, 1959 in Savannah, Georgia to his parents, Ira and Barbara Hefner. Mark received a BS in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1981 followed by an MBA two years later. During his junior year at Georgia Tech he met his best friend and the love of his life, Carolyn Mathews. Following their marriage in April 1983, his family soon included three sons. They laid roots in Melbourne, FL (19 years), Mission Viejo, CA (2 years) and Cary, NC (19 years). All the while, Mark pursued a rewarding career in communications engineering that led to numerous leadership roles and accolades as a business executive after his shift into healthcare information technology.
Mark wholeheartedly loved the Lord, his family, church, and local community. He led with humility at home and in the workplace, always spoke with sincerity, and demonstrated his love to others through fixing broken things. He was truly generous with his time, giving to others selflessly when he saw a need. Never holding too tightly, he and Carolyn also gave generously of their resources to their faith community. Until the end, he cherished playing golf with the boys, camping with family, traveling around the States and adventuring around the world. He also loved just being at home, spoiling his grandchildren with boat rides and sweet treats whenever he could.
His Christian faith was an essential part of his life and legacy. He was intentional in sharing his faith in both word and deed to his children, grandchildren, and those around him. He served faithfully as a Starting Point leader at Hope Community Church for over 15 years, helping lead open discussions exploring the most weighty questions about faith in God. Steadfast to the end, he truly lived the words of Paul in 2 Timothy 4 – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Mark will be dearly missed and always remembered by his wife of 40 years Carolyn Mathews Hefner, children Cory Hefner (Ellen), Scott Hefner (Sarah), and Ryan Hefner (Emma), and grandchildren Dawson, Asa, Merrick (Cory/Ellen) and Nora (Ryan/Emma). He is also survived by his mother Barbara Hefner, sister Amy Hefner-Samson, brother Brad Hefner (Sharlene), along with beloved nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his father Ira D. Hefner, Jr. and infant brother Ira D. Hefner, III.
A celebration of Mark’s life will be held this Friday, September 8 at 11am at Hope Community Church, Raleigh Campus (821 Buck Jones Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606). There will be a reception with refreshments to follow immediately afterwards from 12-2pm at the church.
The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC). Honoree: Mark Hefner. Person to Notify: Carolyn Hefner / [email protected]. https://donorbox.org/iaslc-tribute-23
Hope Community Church, General Ministry Fund. At the service, checks can include Mark’s name in the memo line, or gifts can be given online: https://gethope.net/give/
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below in “add a memory” for the Hefner family.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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