He was born on May 19, 1948, in Columbus, OH, to Stacie Dunford and Carolyn Conley. Following his service in the U.S. Air Force from 1966-1970, Mark began a life-long career in law enforcement serving the community first as a New Hanover County Sheriff’s Deputy and retiring as Chief of Police of Carolina Beach in 2003.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his three brothers: Stacie A. Dunford, Jr., Dean A. Dunford and Terry L. Dunford.
He is survived by his wife, Diane Dunford; two daughters, Tracie Dunford Sitton (Brett) and Valerie Carr (Travis); stepson, Michael James Farrow (Dawn); grandchildren: Emily Sitton Twigg, Morghanne Sitton, Jillian Sitton, Austin Davis, Briona Carr, Skylar Carr, Travis Carr, Jr., and Kylee Carr; and step-granddaughter, Juliana Champion.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, December 16, 2022, at Coble Funeral Chapel with Pastor Billy Batten officiating. The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park at a future date.
