Mark Edward Moorehead, 53, of Huntsville, died May 7, 2018 at Huntsville Hospice Family Care.
He is survived by his husband, Robert “Bob” Gifford; sister, Pam Black (Michael) of Mobile, AL; nieces, Shanna Vereen (John), Amanda Jones (Jeremy), Melissa Chambers (Joseph), of Mobile, AL, Sarah Grace Ikard (John Michael), Ashley Aguilera (Mauricio), of Birmingham, AL, and Katie Knapp (Jeremi), of Saraland, AL; and sister-in-law, Mona Moorehead, of Mobile, AL. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles H. Moorehead and Julia W. Moorehead, brother, Charles (Chuck) H. Moorehead, Jr., of Mobile, AL, and his mother-in-law, Mary Gifford, of Huntsville, AL.
Mark pursued a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of South Alabama in Mobile before changing course and transferring to the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa where he received his Bachelor of Music degree in Organ Performance. He then earned a Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies from UA, and began his career with SirsiDynix in Huntsville, AL, creating, producing, and maintaining software for libraries throughout the United States and abroad. He later worked at the IT service management company, MuseGlobal, Inc., where he was Senior Vice President.
Throughout his career in library software systems, he was disciplined in maintaining his practice schedule at the organ and piano. He served as a church musician for a number of congregations, including Trinity United Methodist in Huntsville where he was Principal Organist for nine years. Mark was respected for his liturgical insight, recital programming, and imaginative registrations at the organ; additionally, he was a former dean of the Huntsville chapter of the AGO (American Guild of Organists). World renowned organists Dame Gillian Weir, Nathan Laube, and Paul Jacobs performed recitals at Trinity at Mark’s invitation, and he was a guiding influence on the Board of Directors of the Huntsville Chamber Music Guild.
Mark’s years in Huntsville with Bob were filled with friends from far and near, whose lives were made richer by his intellect, his humor, his talent, his generosity, and his loyalty. He and Bob traveled extensively, and enjoyed entertaining at their home which they shared with two Scottish terriers.
Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 12, 2018, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 607 Airport Road SW, Huntsville, AL 35802. A Celebration of Life memorial service will follow at the church with Dr. Charles Gattis and the Rev. David Leonard officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to Lifeline Pet Rescue: https://lifelinepetrescue.wixsite.com/lifelinepetrescue.
