Vernon and Donna DeMark Memorial Scholarship

Vernon was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado. As a teenager he came to the Caldwell area, attended Middleton High School, and began his career in auto mechanics. Over the years he worked for Burns Chevrolet, Tom Edmark Motors, and as a partner in Tott’s Phillips 66 gas station, which was on the southeast corner of 10th and Cleveland. Donna was born in Boise and grew up throughout the Treasure Valley. She attended Junior High and High School in Caldwell where she participated in numerous sports and clubs. She worked at Canyon Drug and, later, Quick Curb where she met Vernon. Vernon married Donna in 1954 and together they built the DeMark Auto family business. Under Vernon and Donna’s management, the business evolved from a used car lot to a complete automotive repair facility and parts store. Together, Vernon and Donna ran this business and served the Caldwell community for over 60 years. Vernon loved cars and raced competitively at the speedways in the region. Vernon and Donna were true advocates for public education, huge supporters of athletic programs, and were very involved with community sports and athletics. Vernon served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Caldwell School District for 20 years, from 1985 to 2005. Vernon and Donna had three children, Lori (who married Chuck Stout), Tony (who married Bonnie Jones), and Craig (who married Becky Hacker). All three children and many family members are graduates of Caldwell High School. Vernon and Donna were devoted to their family and enjoyed spending time with them at their cabin in Donnelly, hunting, fishing, and camping.