William "Mark" Bedard

On March 21, 2024, heaven gained a passionate, hardworking and giving soul, William “Mark” Bedard. Mark was born April 7, 1958, in Salem, Oregon and died suddenly in Battle Mountain, Nevada. Mark was diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and won his courageous WTD battle against cancer but life changes that followed his aggressive treatments took a toll on his body but definitely not his soul or his desire to continue on. He was married to “his bride” and love of his life Karen (Crook) Bedard in 1984 in Lake Tahoe and he passed while they were on their 40th Anniversary trip. Mark graduated Reedsport High School in 1976, attended SWOCC and got straight A’s after International Paper Company’s Paper Mill closed permanently (where he worked for 19 years), studying Business Administration. His passions first and foremost were to his devoted wife Karen, his two children whom he adored– Daughter Jessica Bedard of Redmond, Oregon and son Nicklaus Bedard of Reedsport, his daughter in law Cassie Dye of Reedsport, and was the very best “Papa” to his grandchildren Jayden Cross and Tryson Topinka, both of Redmond whom he was incredibly proud of.

His favorite dogs at his side over the years were English Springer Spaniels. He did anything needed for his parents, his siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, in laws, and for his so many friends. He was an incredible Golfer. His hobbies were following the Oregon Ducks, the Portland Trailblazers, the St. Louis Cardinals and of course The Masters. His talents included woodworking, fishing on the Deschutes and Umpqua Rivers, hunting for deer, elk, upland birds, gardening, his restaurants (Bedrocks), watching westerns, playing Solitaire, Yahtzee and Cribbage. He and his wife started traveling when he fully retired three years ago, even as far a driving the 5th Wheel to Key West and back.

He loved his community by supporting and giving back. He was a board member of the AWPPW Union when working for I.P. and served as Gardiner’s STAR safety program chair with OSHA. He also served on the Board for Forest Hills Country Club, volunteered on the Reedsport Volunteer Fire Department until buying his first restaurant, served on the Reedsport City Council and Budget Committee, the Lower Umpqua United Way, President of the Reedsport Educational Enrichment Foundation, member of the Lower Umpqua Development Forum, served as President of the Reedsport/Winchester Bay Chamber of Commerce in 2010, Life Member of Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and member of both the Summit Pines hunting club and the Horseshoe Hunting Camp. He chaired for many years the Oregon Divisional Chainsaw Carving Championships, the Reedsport Memorial Day celebration, including bringing the Twenty Nine Palms Marine Air Combat Band (whom he all adopted) and several jump teams to Reedsport for several years. He also volunteered in the early years of Sandfest and then DuneFest up to 2012. He always took into consideration of what the community would want.

He is preceded in death by his sister Brecinda Bedard, his brother Benjamin Bedard and parents Donald and Judith Bedard. He is survived by his sister Mona Eberhart of La Mesa, California, Kelly Bedard of Key West, Florida, Kerry Bedard of Encinitas, California, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, an aunt and his in-laws.

His celebration of life will be held at the Reedsport High School Auditorium on Saturday April 20th at Noon.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, that contributions be made to the Reedsport Braves Boosters earmarked for Junior Golf.

Donations can be mailed to Braves Boosters c/o 2260 Longwood Drive, Reedsport, Oregon 97467, a 501c3 organization, TIN 45-2809062.

If you can’t afford a donation, the family asks that you volunteer in your community, even a little, as it can make a difference.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William "Mark" Bedard, please visit our floral store.