Mark Evan Reichner

With great sadness, the children of Mark Evans Reichner, announce his passing on Thursday, August 10th, 2023, in Cedar City, Utah.

Mark was born November 5, 1941, to Lawrence E. Reichner and M. Jeannette Walker, of Long Beach, California. He was the youngest of two sons. At a young age Mark was athletically inclined and enjoyed many sports. Upon entering high school, he discovered what would become a lifelong love affair of basketball. His high school coach, Bill Mulligan, would instill in Mark an innovative style and high standard of accomplishment. His senior year he led his team to a CIF Championship Title. He then took his skills to Long Beach City College, followed by Chapman University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science. Mark later went on to earn his Master's in Education from Azusa
Pacific. Following his playing career, he wanted to pursue coaching. At Rubidoux High School in Riverside, he first established his coaching reputation. Mark took the Falcons to a first league championship title.

It was along this adventurous path that he met and fell in love with Irene J. Damigos. Mark's heart was captivated by Irene's vibrant personality and the beauty that radiated from within her. Irene was likewise drawn to Mark and the idea of being a coach's wife. Irene introduced Mark to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mark appreciated the many fine attributes offered by the restored gospel and joined the Church in 1979. Later in 1980 Mark and Irene were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple with their children.

Mark and Irene raised 6 children, Scott (Kimmy), Jeannette (Mike), Heidi (Jack), Mark (Isa), David (Barbi), and Brock (Chanell); 33 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. One of his greatest joys was taking his family on trips around this great country in his RV. He loved to travel and be on the highway. Telling stories and singing songs around the campfire was a highlight. In fact, he enjoyed the RV so much that he moved his family into an RV for an entire year. One could say, he was the originator of the tiny home movement.

Mark's next coaching experience took the family to rural South Fremont High School in St. Anthony Idaho, where he made a significant impact on the players. Years before AAU was invented Coach Reichner took his teams back to Long Beach California to play stiffer competition. He was an innovator ahead of his time.

Carlsbad, California was the next stop along the way, where Mark shifted from coaching teams to coaching his children. Each of his children lettered in basketball and learned the value of hard work. Providing for his family was paramount. He taught his family how to be successful as an educator and as a business owner. Mark lived by the mantra, "Work hard and play hard". For most of his thirty-plus years as an educator, Mark was a PE or science teacher.

After retirement, Mark and Irene fulfilled their lifelong dream to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in Athens Greece. Mark loved serving the people as a branch president there. He incorporated his love for basketball into his missionary service and held basketball camps for Greek youth to help develop their skills.

In 2008 his eternal companion, Irene passed, leaving him heartbroken. Shortly thereafter, he met and married Susie. They enjoyed traveling to visit their many grandchildren and doing family history and temple work.

Mark was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, friend, coach, and disciple of Jesus Christ. Mark is preceded in death by his wife Irene, and his parents. He is survived by his brother, Howard Reichner of North Carolina.

A viewing will be held at 1 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 19th at Nelson Family Mortuary, 4780 North University Avenue in Provo, Utah. Interment services will be held immediately after at Provo Cemetery.