Jeffery M. Mork, 55, of Sandusky, died Wednesday, March 7, 2012, at Firelands Regional Medical Center, Sandusky, after an eight-year battle with lymphoma.
He was born Jan. 11, 1957, in Cincinnati, son of Arden and Maxine (Smittle) Mork. He graduated in 1975 from Withrow High School, Cincinnati. In 1979 he earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from Bowling Green State University, where he received the Outstanding Senior Marcher award and was student director of the hockey pep band.
He was band director at Tuslaw High School near Massillon, Ohio, from 1979 to 1982, when he moved to Tallahassee, Fla., to attend Florida State University.  He earned his master’s degree in music education in 1984.
He then moved to Sandusky, where he was band director in the Sandusky City Schools from 1984 until he retired in 2011. His special passion was directing the jazz bands. He received the district’s 1991 Outstanding Teacher Award and was a 2004 Jennings Scholar.
He had been a member of the United Church of Christ in Oakley, Cincinnati; Westminster Presbyterian Church, Wooster, Ohio; St. Stephen United Church of Christ, Sandusky, where he sang in the choir and directed the bell choir; and the former First United Church of Christ, Sandusky, where he directed the choir and bell choir.
He was a member of Ohio Music Education Association and was an adjudicator for solo and ensemble contests.  He played his saxophone with Dana Dorsey and the Blue Notes and the North Coast Concert Band. He was a member of the Sandusky Community Celebrations Council and the Lange Trust board.  Volunteered for Behavioral Health at Firelands Regional Medical Center.
He was most proud of his three daughters, Maureen Mork, a genetic counselor at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas; Adrienne Mork, a seventh-grade English teacher and dance teacher in Gladwin, Mich.; and Melanie Mork, a music teacher in the Sandusky City Schools.
He was known for his quick wit and his underappreciated jokes and puns.
He is survived by his wife, Karen (Brazee), whom he married Dec. 15, 1979, in Wooster, Ohio; his three daughters; his sister, Melissa (David) Holmes of Cincinnati; his brother, Christian Mork of Cincinnati; sisters-in-law, Kathleen (Rick) Thompson of Mount Vernon, Ohio, and Kay Wagner of Wooster; his brother-in-law, Kevin (Pam) Brazee of Wooster; his nephews, Sean (Mallory) Thompson of Newark and Ryan Thompson of Gilbert, Ariz.; his niece Sara Holmes of Cincinnati; his father- and mother-in-law, Ross and Jean Brazee of Wooster; and many other relatives, friends, colleagues and students.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother-in-law, Raymond Wagner.
The Family will receive friends on Saturday afternoon, March 10, 2012, from 2 PM until time of the Memorial Service at 3 PM at St. Stephen United Church of Christ, 905 E. Perkins Avenue, Sandusky.  Rev. Jerald A. Fenske officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sandusky City Schools music program, 407 Decatur St., Sandusky, OH 44870; Cancer Services of Erie County, 505 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky, OH 44870; Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870; St. Stephen United Church of Christ choir, 905 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky, OH 44870; or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements entrusted to the David F. Koch Funeral Home, 520 Columbus, Ave., Sandusky.
Your memories and words of comfort may be expressed to Jeff's family at davidfkoch.com