Mark was born on May 24, 1960 in Clinton, Missouri. Mark grew up in rural Bates County, MO. Attended and graduated from Ballard School in 1978.
As a child he spent his time doing farm chores, picking up a lot of eggs from a laying house owned and operated by his family and after he was older hauled hay for neighboring farmers.
For enjoyment while growing up, Mark rode his Honda dirt bike and began taking piano lessons at a young age, at which he became very skilled. He was known for playing Scott Joplin ragtime music and would play hymns at church with a swing.
On his 17th birthday Mark earned his private pilot’s license in a Cessna 150, often taking his sisters flying with him. When older while living in Arizona, he attended and graduated from the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Scottsdale, Arizona. Cooking was his passion.
Mark is preceded in death by his father Eugene Simpson, paternal grandparents, Cecil and Irene Simpson and maternal grandparents, James and Ruth Keith.
Surviving are his daughter, Alexandria and his mother, Kathy. Sisters; Cheri, Shelly and her husband Chad. Nephew, Michael and wife Tracy and their daughter Ellie. A niece Kayla and her husband Trent and son Willard, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.
