Mark Huddleston

Mark Huddleston, 64, of Weldon Spring, Missouri, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2026, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Mark spent most of his childhood in Sheffield, Alabama. He attended the University of North Alabama, where he met the woman who would become his wife, Janet (Thigpen) Huddleston. They married in 1983 and built a life centered on family, faith, adventure and service to others.

A lifelong learner, Mark later earned his MBA from Colorado State University. In 1985, Mark and his family moved to Iowa, where they raised their children, before making the St. Louis area home in 2013. He enjoyed a career of more than 40 years in corporate risk management and was committed to giving back to his profession, including his favorite professional tradition, the annual RIMS St. Louis Golf Outing, where colleagues and friends came together while supporting risk management scholarships and charitable organizations.

Mark was a devoted follower of Christ, and his faith guided how he lived and served others. He treasured the Christian families he found at Madrid Church of Christ, Muscatine Church of Christ and Lafayette Church of Christ.

Mark also gave generously of his time to the activities he loved. For more than 20 years, he played, coached and refereed soccer, including coaching his children and refereeing at recreational and professional levels. His love of skiing became another opportunity to serve as a volunteer ski instructor for visually impaired participants through Gateway Adaptive Ski and Snowboard.

Mark loved golf, skiing, music and travel. He enjoyed concerts, sang in the barbershop quartet 3 Guys with a Soul, traveled throughout the continental United States and visited nearly every continent. The Lake of the Ozarks was his happy place, where he could slow down, enjoy the boat and jet ski, and make offline memories with his family.

And then there were the little things that made Mark, Mark. He always had a well-used napkin in his pocket, and he never wasted soap. His family shared plenty of laughter and good-natured teasing. Mark often told his children, “You’ll miss me when I’m gone,” to which they would answer, “Yes, but we’ll enjoy you while you’re here.”

Diagnosed with cancer in 2023, Mark faced his illness with remarkable determination and without complaint. In true Auburn spirit, he “fought like a tiger” and continued enjoying the days he was given.

Mark was preceded in death by his father, Thurman Harold Huddleston; mother, Euphenia Gilbert; and sister, Patricia Embry. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Janet (Thigpen) Huddleston; daughters, Mary (Ryan) Savage and Nancy (Josh) Van Wyk; grandchildren, Thaddaeus, Asher and Ada; brother, Paul (Joline) Huddleston; stepfather, Jim Gilbert; nephew, Adam Bevis; Chilean brother, Rodrigo Ferrada; and BJ McVay.

Services: A celebration of Mark’s life will be held at Lafayette Church of Christ, Ballwin, October 31 at 11 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to Christian Family Services.

As a service of the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.