Mark Thomas Westbrook

Mark Thomas Westbrook, age 67, of Biloxi passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. 

Mark was born in Jackson, Mississippi on January 18, 1957 to William V. Westbrook, Jr. “Bill” and Barbara Thomson Westbrook “Kieta”.  A native and long-time resident of Jackson, Mississippi, Mark proudly served his country in the Navy United States Naval Construction Battalions, better known as the Navy Seabees, from 1978-1983. He was honored with many awards, including the Good Conduct Award, which recognizes faithful, zealous, and obedient naval service and the Marksman M-16 Rifle Sharpshooter and Expert Award. His unit was recognized as outstanding compared to other units with the Meritorious Unit Commendation Award. He served in the Caribbean on Antigua and Barbuda Islands and later in Iwakuni, Japan. Mark was honorably discharged in 1984 and continued to serve in the Navy Reserves. He took the knowledge he gained during this time back home to start his career in general contracting and project management in construction.

 Mark was particularly proud of his work with Eley Associates/Architects in Jackson, Mississippi in the restoration of The Lyceum on the campus of The University of Mississippi as well as his involvement with multiple other projects on the Ole Miss campus, including the construction of the Martin Sennett Conner Hall, the E. H. Patterson School of Accountancy, and the Ford Performing Arts Center. Later while serving as Project Manager for Mid-State Construction, he was awarded the Mississippi Association Builders and Contractors Excellence in Construction Award for the Mississippi College School of Law Student Center. 

Following his retirement as Operations Manager of Lakeland Yard and Garden Center in Jackson, he moved to Biloxi in 2022. A lifelong avid hunter and sport fisherman, Mark found joy in all of God’s creation, and there was nothing more special to him than spending the day in a duck blind or on a boat with his son, Thomas. He also loved socializing with his many friends and family members.  He was a loving father, brother and uncle who will be missed by all who knew him.  

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, William V. Westbrook, Jr., and Barbara Thomson Westbrook. 

Survivors include his son, Mark Thomas Westbrook, Jr., of Jackson, Mississippi; his twin sister, Holley Westbrook Lacey (Peeler) of Laurel, Mississippi; his brother, William V.  Westbrook, III (Patty) of Gulfport, Mississippi; his nephew, Grayson Lacey (Jenny); niece, Lauren Butts (Casey) of Laurel, Mississippi; and lifetime best friend and cousin, Houston Primos (Betsy) of Flowood, Mississippi. 

Services with full military honors will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Friday, June 14, 2024 at Biloxi National Cemetery, 400 Veterans Ave., Biloxi, MS, followed by interment at that facility. Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15^th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Westbrook family.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mark Westbrook to the SuperHunt/Foundation for Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, which provides hunting and fishing opportunities for disabled youth.