Mark Jenson: June 12, 1999-March 24, 2026

Mark Jenson was born on June 12, 1999 in Reno, Nevada to Susanna Pascal (née Jenson). His father, was Derek McGrady, Susanna’s boyfriend, who died three months before Mark’s birth. He is survived by his mother and half-sister, Nina Carruthers (née Pascal). He is also survived by his boyfriend, Darren Maynard.

Mark was a passionate outdoorsman and had worked as a ranger in the Emerson Valley Park Service for three years. Prior to that, he had served as a volunteer trail guide since his time at EVU, where he received a degree in communication. Although he was an intern at NBS-affiliate WEVL on their Channel 8 News program, his passion for the forest led to him applying for an opening with the Park Service after being informed of the position by Channel 8 weatherman David Bellinger, husband to Chief Ranger Samantha Bellinger, Mark’s eventual boss.

While a funeral will be held by his family in Reno sometime next week, his loved ones in Emerson Valley are holding a memorial service for him tomorrow night at 6:30 PM. It will take place at the spot where Mark died along the “D” trail in Blackwood Forest, and the proceeding will be led by Darren and Sam. Contact us at emersonvalleygazette@gmail.com for more information.