Mark Henry Whiddon

A memorial service for Retired Fire Captain Mark Henry Whiddon, 59, of Frankston will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Flint Baptist Church with Pastor Sam DeVille officiating. Visitation is scheduled from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. preceding the service. Mark passed away Tuesday, May 26, 2026 while flying his treasured Fokker DrI, a replica of the World War I German fighter triplane. He was born and raised in Denton, Texas, the son of Henry L. Whiddon and Sonya S. Whiddon. After graduating from Denton High School in 1985 and taking courses in criminal justice at the University of North Texas, Mark soon decided to pursue becoming a firefighter. He graduated from the Fort Worth Fire Academy and began his tenure with the Denton Fire Department in 1990, serving first as a tail board, then Driver and eventually promoted to Captain in 2005. Mark also served part-time in the Argyle Fire Department and Gainesville Fire Department. He had a strong faith in God, was a dedicated member of Flint Baptist Church, and above all, was a deeply devoted husband, son, brother and father. With their respective careers bringing them together, Mark married the love of his life, Jayda, a paramedic ER nurse, on April 7, 2001. Mark and Jayda made their home for many years in Gainesville with their three sons Brad, Koby and Konnor before retiring in East Texas in June 2023. Throughout his 33 years of service, Mark received numerous awards of commendation, including one of the Department’s highest honors, Officer of the Year, in 2017, for his exceptional leadership and service. Mark earned the respect and admiration of those within the Fire Department and with whomever he knew and worked. Fittingly known as “Hulk” by his peers and crew, Mark was both physically strong and mentally tough, commanding respect through his grounded, steady demeanor and fearlessly “going in first” to render aid no matter the degree of danger. For more than half his life, he led by example and served his community selflessly and courageously. As Captain, he was beloved by his crew and for his way of fostering camaraderie, leading with integrity, honesty, bravery and humility. He never expected from his crew what he wouldn’t do himself. Mark will be remembered for his unwavering kindness, loyalty, willingness to help anyone, and his keen sense of resourceful craftsmanship, able to fix, build or create anything. Beyond his duties as firefighter, Mark pursued many interests and hobbies, including earning a fifth-degree black belt in Iaido, an ancient Japanese martial art entailing drawing and cutting with a sword, and requiring controlled movements and exceptional mental focus. In his last 20 years, Mark’s interest in aviation and the love of flying became his sole passion. He earned his sports pilot certification and later private pilot certification and soon began acquiring his small fleet of single-engine planes. He was happiest spending time with Jayda, his family, and his pilot friends at “fly-ins,” air shows or simply flying whenever the weather permitted. Mark is preceded in death by his father, Henry L. Whiddon. He is survived by his mother, Sonya S. Whiddon of Denton; wife of 25 years, Jayda Whiddon of Frankston, and their three sons, Brad Mitchell of San Antonio, Koby Parks and fiancé Cary Garcia of Manor, and Konnor Parks and girlfriend Leah Barletta of Denton; Jayda’s birth son Jason Hennesey and wife Becky and children Thomas, Hudson and Emily of Seguin; and sister, Shelley Whiddon-Bartek, her husband David Bartek and son Zach Bartek of McKinney. Mark is also survived by many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. Honorary pallbearers will be Firefighter Bradley Burger; Firefighter Raymond Harder; Driver Steve Davis, retired; Driver Shane Robert; Driver Eric Woods; Chief Brian Glenn, retired; and Driver Danny Benson, retired; along with his other brothers and sisters in the Denton Fire Department. Arrangements are being made by Stewart Family Funeral Home. If desired, memorials may be sent to the Flint Baptist Church Mission Fund. Flowers may be sent to Flint Baptist Church.

Mark Henry Whiddon

August 2, 1966 - May 26, 2026