Mark Middlebrook

Mark Middlebrook, 74, formerly of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, passed away Sunday, March 1, 2026, at his home in Spring City, Tennessee.He is survived by his wife, Margaret Gayle Middlebrook; his three sons, Michael Stephen Middlebrook and his wife Tara Middlebrook, Mark McClay Middlebrook and his wife Andrea Robin Middlebrook, and Jon Lageson Middlebrook; and five grandchildren, Madison Lee Middlebrook, Cole Murphrey Middlebrook, Makenzie Lee Middlebrook, Mason James Middlebrook, and Samantha Blaire Middlebrook.Mark was predeceased by his father, George Bruce Middlebrook; his mother, Ione Lageson Middlebrook; and his two brothers, Michael Timmins and Stephen Middlebrook.Born in Buffalo, New York, in 1952, Mark moved to Richmond, Virginia, in 1963, where he later graduated from Meadowbrook High School. It was in Richmond that he moved in next door to the love of his life, Gayle, and the two were married on June 1, 1972. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1971 and served in both the U.S. Army and the Virginia National Guard. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia in 1981.Mark began his journalism career at the Gloucester Gazette-Journal in Gloucester, Virginia, as a reporter and photographer. He also worked as a reporter at the Newport News Daily Press before accepting a position at the Florida Times-Union, relocating his family to the Jacksonville area. There he worked as a talented and award-winning investigative reporter and eventually rose to the role of editor. He also served briefly as an on-air reporter at WJXT Channel 4 News in Jacksonville.As a member of Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney's staff, Mark became deeply immersed in what would become one of the great passions of his life: land preservation. He was instrumental in the purchase and preservation of more than 80,000 acres in and around Duval County in Northeast Florida - an achievement he considered second only to his three sons among his proudest accomplishments. Mark imparted a deep love of the outdoors and nature, including the National Parks system, to his family - a lasting legacy alongside his many professional accomplishments. He was also a longtime Civil War reenactor, sharing his passion for American history with his sons.He continued his conservation work with organizations including the St. Johns River Alliance and the North Florida Land Trust, and served as Executive Director of the Timucuan Parks Foundation until his retirement in early 2024.You are invited to share a personal memory of Mark or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home of Athens and the Cody family are honored to assist the family with these arrangements.