Sani Scholar Committee member Mark Lemon passes away

John Mark Lemon, age 66, passed away on December 15, 2021 in Lenexa, Kansas. To his friends he was known as Mark. Mark was born on February 12, 1955 in Sparta, Illinois to John and Bonita Lemon.

Mark received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa. He participated on the Men’s Golf Team while at Iowa. Mark turned professional and had stints as an Assistant Professional at the Des Moines Golf & Country Club. Then he was Head PGA Professional at Otter Creek Golf Course in Ankeny, Iowa and Irv Warren Golf Course (Byrnes Park GC) in Waterloo, Iowa before becoming a Co-Owner and building Airport National Public Golf Complex in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He sold that facility and retired to Lenexa, Kansas in 2019. Mark was a PGA Member for nearly 39 years, having gained his Class A status on June 1, 1983.

Mark was a 1973 Sani Scholar given by the Iowa Golf Association. He continued to serve on the Sani Scholarship Committee for multiple decades.

In 1999, Mark and good friend Jim McPartland helped start the Greater Cedar Rapids Open held at Hunter’s Ridge in Marion, Iowa. This tournament was modeled after the Waterloo Open that Mark helped to administer during his time at Irv Warren Golf Course.

Mark was named the Captain for the PGA Professional Team at the 2019 Iowa Cup Matches held at Crow Valley Golf Club. The Professionals maintained the Cup over the Amateurs as the Team’s tied in a rain shortened event.

Mark loved golf and was the Iowa PGA Section Senior Player of the Year in 2005 and was Super Senior Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016. His other passions included fishing and hunting.

Mark is survived by his mother Bonita, sister Pam and brother Scott. He was preceded in death by his father John.

There will be no service of any type held – that was Mark’s final request.  Donations may be made to the Greater Cedar Rapid Open, P.O. Box 10034, Cedar Rapids, IA  52410.