Mark Alan Sutton, 68, of Moline, passed away at home on Sunday, August 16, 2026.

Mark was born on November 22, 1957, in Moline, Illinois, to Hurley and Beatrice (Frey) Sutton. He attended United Township High School and was a member of the Class of 1975. Before his senior year, Mark moved to Sacramento, California, where he completed his high school education.

Mark spent most of his working life in restaurant kitchens, making his living as a prep chef or whatever the kitchen needed. Over the decades, he worked in dozens of restaurants across the country and spent significant portions of his life in Sacramento, California, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Truckee, California; and of course the Quad Cities. His work included time with TGI Fridays, Texas Roadhouse, Hard Rock Cafe, and many other restaurants and established chains.

Cooking was more than just Mark's profession. He enjoyed making food for others and was especially known among family and friends for his homemade beef jerky, which he loved to make and share. He could also make a great chicken pot pie.

When Mark was young, some of his happiest times were spent with family and friends at the Sutton family lake house on Lake Odessa near Wapello, Iowa, known simply to the family as "the Cabin." He loved being on the water and especially enjoyed fishing and boating during the many days spent at the Cabin. It was a special place for Mark and the Sutton family and the source of many memories shared over the years.

Mark was a kind and generous soul who faced more than his share of struggles throughout his life. He battled substance abuse for many years, and there were times when he had very little money and even times when he did not have a permanent place to call home. Yet Mark's circumstances never took away his desire to help someone else. Even when he had almost nothing himself, he was the kind of person who might give what little he had to a stranger if he believed that person needed it more. His trusting and generous nature sometimes made it easy for others to take advantage of him, but it was also a reflection of the compassion he carried throughout his life.

In many ways, Mark never lost the kid inside of him. He had a lifelong love of Hot Wheels and action figures and could find happiness in things that reminded him of being young. He was also a devoted science-fiction fan, especially Stargate SG-1, along with many other sci-fi television shows. Mark was also an accomplished dart player and enjoyed competing in dart tournaments over the years. Whether it was throwing darts, adding another Hard Rock Cafe pin to his collection, or settling in to watch a favorite sci-fi show, Mark took genuine pleasure in the things he loved.

Those who knew him well sometimes described Mark as a perpetual 14-year-old, a kid at heart who, despite growing older, never entirely grew up.

Mark's life was not always an easy one, and he traveled a road that was often more difficult than most. But through all of it, there remained a kindness and generosity in him that those who loved him will remember. He had his struggles and imperfections, as we all do, but he also had a big heart and a willingness to share whatever he had, even when he had very little to give.

Mark is survived by his brothers, Bruce Sutton (Alicia) of Moline, Illinois; Daniel Sutton (Nancy) of Granite Bay, California; Steve Sutton (Michelle) of Wapello, Iowa; Mike Sutton (Cindi) of Aurora, Illinois; and Chris Frey of Orangevale, California; his sister, Denice Murray of Deltona, Florida; and his stepmother, Carole Sutton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hurley and Beatrice Sutton; his brothers, Greg Sutton and Keith Frey; his brother-in-law, Bryan Murray; and his niece, Rhonda Carlson.