Mark Jeffery Dever, 78, of Columbia, SC, went to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at Lexington Medical Center. He was born August 7,1946, in Springfield, OH, son of Donald A. Dever and June Nicely Dever Kampman.

He was a 1964 graduate of Springfield South High School, proudly attending every class reunion, including his 60th in 2024. He also graduated Wittenberg University, previously attending Miami of Ohio University. He married his high school sweetheart Julie McLean in 1966 after enlisting in the US Army, then attended Officer Candidate School. Mark proudly served his country as a 1st Lieutenant, Armored Tank Commander in Frankfort, Germany from 1966 to 1969.

When his wife's parents died in a car accident in 1969, Mark and Julie raised her five youngest siblings. Mark was only 22 when he took on the responsibility of keeping the family together. At that time, he was employed by Robbins and Myers Pump Division in Springfield, OH until his family relocated in 1979 to Florence, SC, where he worked in management with Perfection American and later Brown Boveri, moving to Simpsonville, SC and then Columbia, SC, where he eventually retired.

He was a devoted member of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Irmo, SC where he had served as a Deacon, and sung in the choir. He was active in Right to Life and the Republican Party. He supported SC conservative politics for many years, and was a poll worker at elections. He loved traveling, golf, swimming, football, and was an avid reader. He and his wife were wonderful hosts to family and friends who visited their home in SC. Mark never met a stranger, and could converse on a myriad of subjects. He especially enjoyed talking about books he was reading, or anything military, particularly the Civil War, WWI and WW2. He was a patriot who loved God, his country, his family and friends. Mark loved the Ohio State University Buckeyes, and he would be so proud and happy to know his beloved Buckeyes had just won the 2025 NCAA National Football Championship.

Mark and Julie shared 55 beautiful years of marriage, not without adversity, but their faith was strong. They would often describe their life as "Mark and Julie's Most Excellent Adventures". Now, at last, they are having THE most excellent adventure of them all, together at last in heaven for eternity, with Jesus. Praise God!

Mark leaves son Kurt Jeffery Dever (Jamie) of Lexington, SC; daughter Cathleen Jett (Jimmy) of Leesville, SC; grandchildren Ashley, Rachel and Heather Dever of Lexington SC and Ethan Collins of Leesville, SC; Haley Hidalgo (Yovani) of Athens, GA; step grandchildren Walker Jett (Ella) of Jacksonville, NC; McLane Jett of Leesville, SC; and step great grandson Taylor Jett of Jacksonville, NC; siblings W. Allen Dever (Rosemary) of Spokane, WA; and Marcia Osmon (Aaron) of Springfield, OH and Lake Placid, FL; sister-in-law Donna Young (Robb) of Springfield, OH; Sister-in-law Marilyn Spragg of New Bremen, OH; brother-in-law James McLean (Diane) of Le Roy, NY; and sister-in-law Joanne McLean of London, OH. Mark was loved by his cousins and adored by his many nieces and nephews. He had many long-time school, military and volunteer organization friends, with whom he kept in contact over the years. He even kept up with his Clark Junior High School classmates, whom he saw every five years, at their reunion.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Julie McLean Dever, who passed away in 2021; father and mother-in-law Frank and Dorothy McLean; brother-in-law Fred McLean (Lisa); sister-in-law Peggie Sims (Ron); son-in-law John Collins (Cathleen); nephew Scott Flannery; and dear friend and companion, Nancy Biggs, with whom he enjoyed several recent road trips to OH, Spokane WA, Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore.

The service for Mr. Dever will be held at 11 o'clock, Thursday, January 30th at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 6952 St Andrews Rd, Columbia, SC with Rev. Marc Rattray officiating. Burial will follow at 1 o'clock at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Rd, Columbia, SC.

The family will receive friends prior to the service at the church beginning at 10 o'clock.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Mark's favorite charities, South Carolina Citizens for Life, at https://link.edgepilot.com/s/84bdf3ed/4kNnDx80S0qwMMGoaGMlqA?u=https://sclife.org/ .

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.