Mark Eldridge

Mark Stephen Eldridge, 75, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was in his home watching Old Westerns on his antenna TV, having just texted a friend about the imminent closing of EATS restaurant on Ponce de Leon Avenue.

Mark Eldridge was born on May 10, 1950 in Rome Georgia, to Pauline LeCroy Eldridge and James Davis Eldridge.

Mark was a member of Grace Methodist Church. He attended Grady High School and graduated from Pace Academy. He went on to attend Young Harris College and University of Georgia.

He loved living the country life, but was drawn back to duties in the city where he became a landlord for over four decades, influencing many people, always sure to make a lasting impression with his unique style and humorous 'Mark-isms'. Mark was more in touch with people and the human heart than anyone would suspect unless they had been recipients of help through his words, deeds, optimism of human nature and his immense generosity.

Mark was best known for his interest in the natural world. He was an 'urban farmer' who loved the forests and all God's creatures. He was always up-to-date on current events as well as knowledgeable about history. He was a master of AJC's word jumble, puzzles and kept meticulous score of 1000's of card games with 'Mimi'. In day-to-day life, his presence was large to those closest to him. Neighbors could always recognize Mark by his overalls, sun hat, re-invented goodwill dress shirts, pickup truck and friendliness with any dog walking by.

His nephew(s) remember growing up, Mark was always handy with a sharp, crisp, witty "remark". He had firm instructions on how to do everything from chewing to walking to talking to sitting. Anything I ever needed, Uncle Mark was there. We threw the baseball and he had little patience with my brother and me, but he was there. I remember if you threw the ball too high or too wide he would make you chase after it. My uncle was a man who loved his scratch offs and cold coffee. He was 'Ace'. My first cup of cold coffee was in South Carolina where we took a trip to work on the cabin. We stopped on the road and he brought the thermos out, set it on top of his green 90's F-150 pickup and drank cold coffee... I was 8. My Uncle Mark, a man with a huge heart, will be missed dearly.

Mark is survived by his mother Pauline LeCroy Eldridge, James Richard Eldridge, brother; Michael Roberts King, brother-in-law; Jan Eldridge King, sister; Cheree Opp Eldridge, sister-in-law; Andrew Michael King, Davis William King (Misha Tomczak), Richard Allen Eldridge (Emily Eldridge), nephews; Andrew Michael Haney King, Avery Allen Eldridge, Nolan Richard Eldridge, great nephews, all of Atlanta; many Tennessee cousins, friends and former tenants.

Mark is preceded in death by his father, J.D. Eldridge.

A casual celebration of life service for Mark Eldridge will be held on November 1 2025, at 2:00 pm at Haygood Memorial United Methodist Church, 1015 East Rock Springs Rd. NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30306.

Mark will be laid to rest in Hamilton Memorial Gardens in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Mark's memory can be honored by your kindness towards one another.

In lieu of flowers, find a beautiful place and plant a tree.

'They are not lost who find the light of sun and stars and God.'