Mark Lewis Harmon

“A man’s wealth consists in the number of people he loves and blesses, and who love and bless him in return.”

— Heber J. Grant

Mark Lewis Harmon finished his time in mortality on August 10, 2024, at 9:10pm as a “wealthy” man. He was right where he wanted to be – at home, surrounded by his wife and children after a day full of visits from his children’s spouses (whom he loved), adoring grandchildren, and caring siblings and in-laws.

Mark was born on May 21, 1953, to Clarence Jesse (“Bud”) Harmon and Ruth Anne Ercanbrack in Provo, UT. From an early age, he learned to work hard and love the outdoors, spending time on horseback at his family ranch in Provo Canyon’s South Fork. He came to know that canyon like the back of his hand after creating a lifetime of memories riding, camping, hunting, cleaning, cutting, and building at the ranch with five generations of family. Looking back on this, Mark said, “The Ranch has always been a special place. To me it’s a sacred place. I feel that way because it’s a place where our family can always come together.”

In a true love-at-first-sight story, while living in Provo, Mark met Robin Lee Ipsen from Scottsdale, AZ in the spring of 1979. Mark said, “I fell in love with her first, then I made her fall in love with me.” Two weeks after their first date, they were engaged to be married. On June 8, 1979, they were married and entered into a covenant relationship in the Mesa Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Over 45 years of marriage, they have honored those covenants and look forward to the promised blessings of a joyful, loving, and eternal union.

Mark was not a man who needed the spotlight. He possessed innumerable talents and was happy to quietly use them to create a wonderful family life, to lift others, and to serve in the church that he loved. Recently reflecting on his life, Mark said, “Joy and rejoicing in your posterity is the most wonderful thing.” He loves his five children, their spouses, and grandchildren deeply – and without exception he is deeply loved by them. There is nothing that brought him more joy than spending time with and creating experiences for his family.

Mark taught his family to work hard, to leave things and people better than you find them, to support each other, to be fair and honest, to keep commitments, to avoid comparison and judgment, to enjoy the beauty of nature, to love our country, to follow living Prophets, and to have faith in Jesus Christ. He loved reading a good book (especially American history) and watching a good movie (especially old westerns). These influences led him to mirror the values demonstrated by the men and women who shaped our nation and the cowboy heroes who spent their days protecting the weak.

As the third-generation owner-operator of an automobile dealership, along with his brother, Brant, Mark was determined to carry on the legacy of his father and grandfather through hard work, fairness, and integrity. The business was owned by the Harmon family from its inception in 1936 until Mark’s retirement in 2020. Mark’s involvement in the business for over 40 years allowed him to provide well for his family, to serve the community in various capacities, and to become a trusted friend and employer to many.

Mark served faithfully for two-years as a young missionary in Japan. This experience taught him how to set goals and established a foundation of faith and devotion that led him to serve in many different capacities in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In October 2022, Mark and Robin received an unexpected call to serve as directors of the Los Angeles Temple Visitors’ Center for two years. They accepted the call, prepared quickly, and departed in January 2023. They immediately fell in love with the people and place they were serving. They became closer to each other, and their mission became one of the highlights of their lives. Speaking of the relationships they formed with the young sister missionaries and other senior missionaries at the visitors’ center, Mark said, “It’s really a rare thing to become so close to them…and they become so close to you. That will be a blessing that we will always remember.”

After receiving a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, Mark and Robin returned home to be with family and pursue treatment. After nine months of tireless efforts to fight the cancer – with the support of selfless and caring friends and family – he passed away peacefully at home.

Mark is preceded in death by his father, Clarence; his mother, Ruth; his mother-in-law, Barbara Ipsen; and two brothers-in-law, Brad Ipsen and Jeff Groscost. He is survived by his beloved wife, Robin; their five children: Adam (Cecille), Robbie (Jesika), Tanner (Kassi), Brooke (Ty), and Markell (Jordan); twenty adoring grandchildren; his siblings Brant Harmon (Lara), Linda Harmon, Hal Harmon (Janine), and Gina Jensen (Larry); his father-in-law, Robert Ipsen; Robin’s siblings, Jannie (Greg) Brady, Dana Groscost; and sister-in-law, Suzanne Ipsen.”

Closed-casket visitations will be held on Friday, August 16th, from 6:30 to 8:30pm and Saturday, August 17th, from 12:30 to 1:30pm, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 3050 N. Mojave Lane, Provo, Utah. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, August 17th, at 2:00 pm, at the same location. Interment in East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery, Provo, Utah.

In lieu of flowers or donations of any kind, we invite friends and family to pay tribute to Mark by identifying and acting on an opportunity to help someone in need. That is how he would like us to honor his life.

Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed to the family at utahvalleyfuneral.com.