February 4, 1952 – March 1, 2026
Jacksonville’s environmental communities are mourning the loss of Mark Middlebrook alongside his friends and family after his passing on March 1 in Spring City, Tennessee. He was 74 years old.
Mark was born on Feb. 4, 1952, to his parents, George Bruce and Ione Lageson Middlebrook, in Buffalo, New York. In 1963, he moved to Richmond, Virginia, where he met Gayle, the love of his life, right next door. He graduated from Meadowbrook High School. In 1971, Mark was drafted into the United States Army; he would go on to serve in the U.S. Army and the Virginia National Guard. He and Gayle married on June 1, 1972.
In 1981, Mark earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia, launching his journalism career at the “Gloucester Gazette-Journal” as a reporter and photographer. He worked at the “Newport News Daily Press” as a reporter as well before relocating his family to Jacksonville, where he accepted a position at the “Florida Times-Union.” Mark became an award-winning investigative journalist, rising to the role of editor and serving briefly as an on-air reporter for WJXT Channel 4 News in Jacksonville.
It was during his time on Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney’s staff that Mark discovered one of his life’s great passions: land preservation. Mark spearheaded the City of Jacksonville’s Preservation Project as its executive director, laying the foundation for what would become the Timucuan Parks Foundation and building one of the nation’s most impressive urban park systems.
“We are profoundly grateful for all he did for us and for Jacksonville,” said Timucuan Parks Foundation Board Chair Bob Hayes. “Because of Mark’s leadership, thousands of acres of environmentally sensitive land will remain protected for future generations.”
Mark served as executive director for the Timucuan Parks Foundation until his retirement in 2024. He pursued his passion for land preservation, working with other organizations, including the St. John’s River Alliance and the North Florida Land Trust.
“Mark was a giant, and his legacy will be seen for generations yet unborn,” said North Florida Land Trust President and CEO Allison DeFoor. “Rest in Peace, friend, rest. Your work is done, but your gift will live on.”
His proudest accomplishment was being a father to his three sons, to whom he imparted a deep love of nature and the outdoors along with a passion for American history.
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.
