Mark Branch Millburn

A philosopher once said, “A great man is someone who never reminds us of anyone else”. Mark Branch Millburn is that man.

Throughout his lifetime he served, ministered to, and loved thousands of people behind the scenes. He was a lion of a man with many gifts and talents, but he always championed the least, the lost, and the lonely. His greatness and Christlike service are difficult to comprehend, even for his own family. Diminished physically by health challenges later in his life, he passed away at his home on July 26, 2024.

Mark was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 5, 1951, to Frank Branch and Bertha Freida Aste Millburn. He was the youngest of seven children.

He spent his entire childhood in Salt Lake City, where his legendary father taught him at an early age to honor his covenants, work hard, and be honest in all his dealings. His love of the Uinta Mountains grew out of special family trips camping, fishing and staying at the family Soapstone cabin. He was close with each of his brothers and sisters, whom he deeply loved and admired. His father and brothers taught him to fly fish at age five. This blossomed into a passion that he enjoyed throughout his life. It was not uncommon for him to catch 100 fish in a day.

He had a very special bond with his mother, who until she died, would declare, “There’s my baby!”, when he walked into the room. He inherited her winning smile, sense of humor, and charm. It is wonderful to imagine the amazing reunion he is having with both of his parents!

He attended Douglas Elementary School, Roosevelt Junior High School, and East High School, where he graduated in 1969. He found a core group of friends during his childhood and teenage years who he remained close to throughout his life.

He was an exceptional athlete and physically very strong. He excelled at golf and baseball, but he especially loved playing football. As a linebacker, people would come to his high school football games just to watch him “cream” his opponents. The advice he gave his grandsons playing the game was to, “Hit your opponent so hard they will never forget who you are!”

He was called on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Eastern States Mission Headquartered in New York City from 1970-1972, being set apart by his Stake President, President Russell M. Nelson.

After returning from his mission, he attended Snow College on a football scholarship, where he met a beautiful young woman named Maylene Allen. He fell in love with her beauty, grace, depth of character, and blue eyes. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on April 20, 1973. He affectionately gave her the nickname “Honey Bunch”, but ultimately settled on “Bunch”. He called her “Bunch” for the entirety of their marriage. In his written personal history, he calls her, "the best of the best". She faithfully supported him in his business endeavors and every church calling he held. The quickest way to anger him was to disrespect her in any way.

He served in the Army National Guard for five years until he was honorably discharged in 1978.

Mark and Maylene started out their married life in Salt Lake City, then moved to Bountiful, but eventually settled in Centerville in 1982 and raised their seven children there. Everywhere they lived, he collected dear friends, many becoming as close as brothers.

He began his career in commercial and multifamily real estate in 1977 as a syndicator, but later founded his own multifamily brokerage and development firm in 1982, called EquiMark Properties. For 25 Years (From 1982 to 2007) he and his partner, Craig Burton developed hundreds of condominium units and brokered more than 45,000 apartment units in the Salt Lake Metropolitan. A record in the state of Utah that still stands and will likely never be broken. Mark was often referred to as the king of multifamily real estate in Utah.

His life was built upon his love of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the restored Gospel. He spared no effort in serving with all of his might, mind, and strength to shine the Light of Christ upon others who were struggling. He served faithfully as a home teacher, ministering brother, young men leader, elder’s quorum president, bishop, counselor in a stake presidency, mission president, stake patriarch, and temple sealer.

He had an infectious laugh and loved to banter and joke with his friends. He had a special blend of dignity, wit, and humor that were legendary. He would often say, “If you look for it, you can find a little humor in almost every situation”. He carried out practical jokes on many people and developed nicknames for hundreds of people, including his family members.

In the mountains he found refuge and peace. He loved spending time at his family cabin at Pine Meadow Ranch and eventually bought his own cabin in Alpine Acres up Weber Canyon where he spent many years enjoying the peace and serenity of the outdoors. 

For many years, every December he would gather his family together and teach his children what Christmas was all about. He spent several evenings each December driving around Centerville, in the black of night, with his car packed with gifts, hams, and turkeys, while he would instruct his children to inconspicuously drop the food on doorsteps and then run back to his car, without being seen by the unsuspecting recipients.

He had a remarkable mind and read hundreds of books during his life. As a result, his attention to detail and command of the English language was exceptional. One of his attorneys remarked, “Sometimes I wonder why Mark hires me to review or prepare legal documents. He is better at it than I am.”

Out of all of their experiences with him, few are more meaningful to his family than the daily family prayer and scripture study which he led every weekday morning with his children at 6:15 am for more than 20 years. He and Maylene taught their children the scriptures in a meticulous fashion. He carefully taught them how to discern the presence of the Holy Ghost, whom he taught would be their protector and guide.

Even though he was very busy with his business and church positions, he always found time to be with his wife and children. He rarely raised his voice when he was disappointed with his children, but rather his presence, wisdom, dignity, and penetrating brown eyes were his most powerful tools when providing correction. His children, grandchildren, and many others respected him so much that they were much more afraid of disappointing him, than upsetting him.

He was one of the toughest and most intimidating men we have ever known, but neither his wife nor any of his seven children ever heard him swear or use foul language. Even in his later years, while enduring many vicissitudes and ailments, he rarely complained.

Mark is survived by his wife, Maylene Allen Millburn and their seven children: Suzanne Bates, Betsy (Paul) Werrett, Jed Branch (Sherry) Millburn, Marianne (Joseph) Skinner, Jessica (Jeff) Heslop, Jacob Mark (Shaelyn) Millburn, and Janalee Millburn. He is also survived by his 28 grandchildren and his six brothers and sisters: Don (Sydney) Millburn, Merlyn Larson, Gary (Mary Lou) Millburn, Paul (Sharon) Millburn, Mary (Steve) Butters, Frankie (Mark) Sonntag.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Bertha Millburn, brother-in law, Sander Larson, nephews, Jake Black, Danny Black, and Finn Hanson, and niece, Heather Larson Butts.

A closed casket viewing, and visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:30 pm MT on Friday, August 2, 2024 and on Saturday morning, August 3, 2024 from 9:00-10:30 am MT. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am MT on Saturday, August 3, 2024. For those unable to attend, services will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and this obituary page. 

Both the viewings and funeral will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1461 North Main Street, Centerville, Utah.

A graveside service will follow at the Bountiful City Cemetery located at 2224 S. 200 W. Bountiful, Utah. The family wishes to thank all those who have expressed their sympathy and condolences at this time. 

In lieu of flowers, perform an act of service anonymously, or send donations to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Missionary or Humanitarian Fund, or another charity of your choice.