Mark Ivey Jr., MD

PHOENIX – Doc Ivey was born December 17, 1946 in Fullerton, California to Mark and Virgie Ivey. After a very full and happy productive life Mark was called to his heavenly home on July 7, 2020. A small graveside service was held with his immediate family at Paradise Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Scottsdale, AZ.. He is survived by his wife Sandra Dina Ivey, his brother Kenneth Ivey and his wife Wanda Ivey, step-brother Michael Herd and his wife Gracia. Preceded in death were Mark’s parents, his step-sister Patricia Rodriquez and his son Mark Ivey III.

Mark grew up in Ajo, Arizona . After graduating from Ajo High School he attended the University of Arizona for a few years and then enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was a combat field medic and a clarinet member of the 438th Army Band in Vietnam 1966-68. After his stint in the Army Mark worked in the mines in Ajo and Superior and as an orderly in Payson. He later moved to Quebec and was accepted into McGill University Medical School in 1973, one of only 10 selected among 500 applicants from the United States. He graduated a McGill Scholar.

After a rotating internship at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, Mark set up his general practicer in Payson, Arizona in 1978.

For over 35 years of practice, Mark was a dedicated physician determined to help his patients, family and friends in the Payson, Tonto Basin and Young area. He both recruited visiting physicians and convinced many others to make Payson their home. Mark saved lives, performed surgeries, delivered babies and helped others achieve a better quality of life in spite of their chronic health conditions. He was reassuring, a great listener and always put the patient first. He considered his patients his friends.

Starting in 1978 Mark was an active member of the Arizona Medical Association, serving on various committees, as Treasurer, Vice President and the youngest President of the Arizona Medical Association in 1989. Mark served as an Arizona Delegate to the American Medical Association from 1994-2003. Mark was rewarded for his hard work in 2004 with the Arizona Rural Health Practitioner of the Year Award and the Edward Sattenspiel MD Award for Recognition of Long Term Commitment to Organized Medicine Award in 2005.

Through his many years living in the Payson Community, Mark was active with the Chamber of Commerce, the Payson Rodeo, the Country Music Festival and played guitar and sang at many charities. He served in various roles for Payson Regional Medical Center, Payson Care Center, Rim Country Health and Payson Home Health. Mark also served on Payson’s City Council and in 1990 he became the Democratic Candidate for US Congress, District 4.

Mark was a man of many talents and interests. He enjoyed strumming his guitar, singing, golfing, fishing hunting, boating, writing poetry, songs and novels, but most of all he loved people and God. Mark always put a smile on faces when he strapped on his guitar and started singing familiar hymns and cowboy tunes with lyrics only a genius could remember covering decades of memories from years gone by.

Cowboy hat and boots were missing more often once Doc fully retired in 2015 and spent more time traveling and battling the golf greens applying new techniques gleaned from the golf channel to challenge his skills on the green.

Mark and his wife Sandy are soulmates. Having found a strong, deep trusting love, they were inseparable - appreciating each day the Lord felt fit to give them - enjoying life’s journey together and will one day be happily together again.

Arrangements entrusted to Tempe Mortuary.