Mark Budge

Thomas Mark Budge, 81, passed away on April 21, 2021 in Spanish Fork, Utah after prolonged illness. Mark was born in Malad, Idaho and grew up in Pocatello in a loving family.

He and Vicki Hunt Budge met on a blind date and married in 1962, after his two-year LDS mission to the North Central States.

Mark studied pharmacy and biology at the University of Utah. He worked as a pharmacist in San Francisco, the Warm Springs Native American Reservation, and Bend, Oregon. He bought a teach-your-kids-to-work 40-acre peppermint farm on the west side of Madras, Oregon. He loved photographing mountains, flowers, bugs, trees, lichen and sold images for several years in Sisters, Oregon. After retiring, Mark continued his dream career as an artist. He was wildly creative. He sculpted, painted, sketched, shot photos, and was the master of mixed media and found objects. He collected sand from across the west, oops paint from shelves of Home Depot, flower buds, pieces of wire, coins, porcupine quills etc. to use in his art works. He loved Native American art, landscapes of the West, flowers, bugs, and aspen trees.

Mark was a great dad who showed the rewards of working hard, laughing at yourself, fantastic storytelling, silliness, and being kind. He was encouraging and particular about the way things should be done. Saw, dont press on a loaf of fresh bread. Never listen to any other kid. Keep on keeping on. Dont be a limpid lizard.

He was a hilarious and beloved grandpa, nicknamed Chicken Tweetie by his grandkids, and in turn called them little squirts. He was fun and larger than life. He made up games like the newspaper game an extreme peek-a-boo where hed hold the newspaper pretending to read and act surprised when the kids smashed and tore the newspaper. As the pieces got smaller and smaller, hed pick them up and continue to read, making hilarious faces and responses as the kids tore the paper to shreds. Happiness for Tweetie was interacting with his children and grandchildren, a bunch of new palette knives, drowning chocolate cake in a bowl of milk or hot cereal, and spending time with Vicki.

Mark served in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a Branch President and Bishop. He and Vicki served ten years as missionaries in the LDS Addiction Recovery Program. He was a loving and effective example of redemption, recovery, and the atonement of Jesus Christ in our lives.

Mark leaves a legacy of love, family, and serving others. He is survived by his wife; children; grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends; and a lot of oops paint, sand, and artwork.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 12 pm at Colonial Chapel, 2005 S. 4th Avenue, Pocatello, ID.

Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, 1520 S. 5th Avenue, Pocatello, ID.

Funeral Service

04/24/2021 12:00



Oakley Basin Cemetery

*

Oakley

ID

83346



Burial

04/24/2021 13:15



Colonial Chapel

2005 S 4th Ave

Pocatello

Idaho

83201