Mark Lewis Drayton

Mark Lewis Drayton, 57, of Gilbert, AZ, passed away at home on April 28, 2024, surrounded by loved ones.  He fought a two year battle with cancer.  He had a wonderful attitude, and he never gave up.

Mark was born Mark Lewis Davidson on November 17, 1966, in Royal Oak, Michigan, to Karla Mae Davidson and Milton Reid Lewis.  He grew up in Michigan, and his mother married Lynn Ray Drayton in 1973.  Lynn adopted Mark, which changed his name to Mark Lewis Drayton.  Mark was proud to be part of the Drayton family.  They spent two years in Tokyo, Japan, during the mid-seventies, and Mark loved every minute of it.  That was the start of his love for travel and adventure.

As Mark grew older, he wanted to meet his birth father.  They met for the first time in 1985.  Mark now had two loving fathers, and he maintained relationships with both throughout his life.

After graduation from high school Mark attended Arizona State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance.  Mark later earned a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) certification from the CFA Institute.  He spent his working years as a financial analyst for several different companies, including Merrill Lynch, Jack White, Charles Schwab, and Financial Engines.  Except for brief periods working in Farmington Hills, MI, and San Diego, CA, Mark’s career was centered in the Phoenix area.

Mark married Janet Lynn Schumacher in 1995.  In 1999 their beautiful twin daughters, Juliette Ann and Jianna Lynn, were born.  Mark enjoyed spending time with his family.  Janet passed away in 2007.  Mark was now a widowed father, and he raised his daughters on his own.

Mark loved to travel.  He went around the country and around the world.  If someone said, “Let’s meet in Paris for lunch,” he would reply, “How about tomorrow?”  He could go on a moment’s notice.  In 2018 he returned to Japan and visited all the places he remembered as a child and then saw it again through adult eyes.  He had a great sense of adventure and exploration.  He was a certified scuba diver.  He had a private pilot license and flew small planes.  He participated in skydiving.  He enjoyed water skiing and snow skiing.  He loved music and parties.  He partied as hard in his 50’s as he did in college.  He enjoyed watching documentaries.  He had a questioning mind and a love for life.

Mark is survived by his daughters, Juliette and Jianna; his parents Karla, Lynn and Milton; siblings Dawn Bailey, Mark Allan Drayton, and Michelle Chiachiere.  He is predeceased by his wife Janet, and brothers Alec Drayton and Eric Lewis.

A celebration of life will be held in the Phoenix area on November 16^th, 2024.