Passing of ST's Owner Mark Blue

Jesse Risley

Staff member
Joined
Apr 12, 2006
Messages
2,266
Location
Macomb, IL
Hi all,

It is with deep sorrow that the staff has to announce that Mark Blue, who owned and operated Stormtrack for the past few years, passed away due to complications from cancer on Saturday, September 9, 2023. Mark's wife Jane shared the news this weekend on social media. Many of you may have also seen the announcement posted when you logged in today.

We will pass along any details regarding memorial services or wishes once those are made known if applicable. The staff wanted to start a thread in the event that anyone wanted to share condolences, stories, etc.

The site is still up and functioning and the staff will continue to work to make it a viable experience for our end-users. We don't have any other details regarding future site plans, ownership, etc. as of this writing. Stormtrack continues to exist because Mark made the effort to take on ownership responsibilities when the torch was passed on yet again several years back. We are grateful for both Mark's investment and his guidance in keeping this longtime digital project going, as ST has a rich history since 1977 evolving from a print endeavor into the digital realm.


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Sad to hear this news. Staff - Please DM if I can do anything to help keep this valuable resource going.
 
I'm deeply saddened to hear of Mark's passing. But also relieved that he is no longer suffering, as his cancer battle was prolonged and intense. He is now forever chasing on the Greatest and Highest of Plains. Mark was always someone I had utmost respect for, and I literally don't know anyone that ever had an issue with him; a true rarity in this at times contentious community.

After we grieve and pay our respects, definitely want to key in to the conversation about what it will take to keep the torch burning. That will be a process that will take some time, but I think the best way we can honor Mark's memory is to keep ST alive.

Condolences to Jane and the rest of his family.
 
Rest in peace, Mark. He and Steve Miller were kind enough to mentor me (including admonishment when I needed it) as I was getting connected with the larger chasing community. Mark was the one who offered me a staff position here on ST, and I hope I'm able to do his memory service as we keep the legacy of ST going forward.
 
IT really, really sucks for Mark’s family. They’re the ones bearing the brunt of this. I didn’t think it was going well a couple of weeks ago when a PM received no response. If anyone has memorial details, please share. My thoughts are with his family.
 
I am very saddened to hear this news. This is a great loss for the community. Mark was a humble leader and selflessly put immense amounts of time and effort into Stormtrack over the past decade, all quietly behind the scenes. My condolences to his family and friends, they will be in my prayers.
 
I wasn't aware of Mark's battle with cancer, so when I read the notice just a few mins ago, it was a punch in the gut. His service to this site will undoubtedly carry a small piece of his legacy forward, for countless present and future chasers to admire. My heart goes out to Mark's family and friends!
 
From Mark's wife Jane:

A Celebration of Life Open House will be held on Friday, September 15th at the Tallyn’s Reach Clubhouse, 24900 E Park Crescent Drive, Aurora, CO 80016.

Visitors are welcome to stop by anytime from 2pm to 5pm. An informal prayer and memory sharing time will begin around 3pm.

Flowers may be delivered to the Blue residence at 25191 E Ottawa Drive, Aurora, 80016. For additional information or directions please call (303) 564-1946.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mark’s name to the Denver Dumb Friends League or American Cancer Society.
 
I am so sorry to hear this news. Words are never adequate in situations like this, so I will just admit that I don’t know what to say, except that I will pray for him and his family.

I feel bad to hear about anyone suffering a tragedy like this. But although I did not know Mark personally at all, it somehow seems worse when it is one of our own. Knowing how much we all love chasing, it is easy to imagine someone with a thirst for life and adventure, and such a person should not die this soon.

I feel guilty because I had gotten upset that he had not responded to some direct messages on site-related matters I was looking for help with. But I had no way of knowing his circumstances. If I had, I would never have bothered him to begin with. It’s still a lesson I won’t forget though - be patient, and give people the benefit of the doubt, because you ne er know what they might be going through.

I love this forum, and I am passionate about it becoming the “one stop shop” for all things chasing. I think niche, curated forums like this are infinitely more valuable than the randomized cesspool of social media. I feel that way about all passions such as ours, not just chasing. For this reason, I hope @Jeff Duda or other admins will keep me in mind if I can be of assistance, up to and potentially including ownership.
 
A very brief obituary has been posted here. I have asked Mark's wife Jane to provide a more detailed review of Mark's life for posterity's sake, however. She plans to return something to me within a day.
 
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