Mark Aaron O'Connor found peace in Heaven the morning of Nov. 19, 2022, following a brief illness and complications due to congestive heart failure. Mark was in the comfort of his home and with his wife at the time of his passing. He was 62 years old.
Mark was born in Hays, KS on Aug. 17, 1960. He was the first child of Linda (Riggs) and Ronald Ray O'Connor and followed shortly by his twin, Marsha.
Mark graduated from Hays High School in 1978 and served in the Navy for six years. After his service, Mark attended and graduated the KU School of Pharmacy in Lawrence, KS and settled in Joplin, MO.
Mark was an avid sports fan, with unwavering devotion to the Jayhawks and Chiefs, He loved going to tailgating parties, entertaining friends, float trips on the river and spending time in his garden. His friends and family were always his top priority. Anyone lucky enough to have met Mark will remember his endless kindness, generosity and contagious joy brought by his laugh. Mark was seldom seen without his iconic cowboy hat and he will be extremely missed.
Mark was preceded in death by his father, Ronald Ray O'Connor, and his maternal and paternal grandparents.
Mark is survived by wife, Kimberly (Horine); mother, Linda (Riggs) O'Connor; twin sister, Marsha (Jeff) Salsbury; sister, Kim (Paul) Morton; brother, John (Angie) O'Connor; and uncle, Terry O' Connor. Father figure to stepchildren Aaron (Lyn) and Megan, and favorite uncle to all nieces and nephews. Grandchildren Azalee, Malachi, Dagon and great-grandson Leyton Hayes. Step-brothers Jeff, Chris and Blue Haas of Pegosa Springs.
In lieu of a service, Mark's final wishes were for any family condolences or personal comments to be sent to his mother at 1404 Milner, Apt. B, Hays, KS 67601 and/or wife at 6209 Douglas Fir Road, Joplin, MO 64804.