Mark Nels Smith

Mark Nels Smith, 65, passed away on August 16, 2025, in Gilbert, Arizona, under the care of hospice. He was surrounded by family, in person and by FaceTime. He received the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick while in the hospital.

Mark did not want to define himself by the melanoma diagnosis from Spring 2020. Unfortunately, a rare condition resulting from treatment when it became a metastatic disease in 2023 caused him to endure a difficult last 19 months of his earthly life.

Mark was proud of his SE Kansas roots. He was born in Girard, KS in 1960 to Nels Adrian Smith and Marian “Joan” (Townsend) Smith. They preceded him in death in 2020 and 2014, respectively. The family belonged to the Farlington United Methodist Church.

Mark attended grade school in a two-room schoolhouse in Farlington, KS. He graduated from Girard High School in 1978. Mark worked with his dad building and remodeling houses, starting with him at an early age. It shaped his hard work ethic and willingness to always try to do things himself. He was very successful at completing tasks well.

After helping a bit at a funeral home in Girard, Mark made the decision to leave the home building business to attend mortuary school. He graduated in 1984 from Kansas City Kansas Community College with a degree in Mortuary Science. His transition to the Kansas City area began.

After graduating, Mark spent his entire career at The Amos Family Funeral Home and Crematory, with many years as the General Manager. He proudly served families as they mourned the deaths of loved ones. He made many dear friends with the Amos staff, who now also grieve his loss.

Mark was very involved in the community. He was a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Johnson County, as well as serving as a past president of the club. Mark was connected with several local chamber of commerce organizations. He had also previously been affiliated with the Knights of Columbus. Mark had been an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and later, Good Shepherd Catholic Church, where he and Anne married in 1997.

Mark had many hobbies, including golf, watching sports, and travel. He was thrilled to visit 49 states and had hoped to travel to Alaska to complete the list. Mark also wanted to fly on a 747 someday. He enjoyed several overseas trips, including one to his great-great grandparents’ place of burial in Sweden. He cheered on his favorite KC teams and brought that enthusiasm to Arizona.

His wife, Anne, retired with Mark at the end of 2020, and they made the decision to move to Gilbert, Arizona, to the state where he spent some time as a child with his family.

Mark loved his family more than anything. Left to grieve his loss are his wife, Anne, and furry girl Raven of the home; son, Aaron Smith (Raj Patel); daughters, Jessica Smith, Jené (Jeremy) Bradham, and Ashley (Jesse) Mitchell. He was so proud to be Papa Mark to Jaylin, Carson, Jude, Ivan, Dax, and Atlas. Mark will also be missed so much by his sisters, Kathy (Ralph) Stegen, Charlotte (Bill) Hollomon, and Stacey (Kenny) Cline. The mother of the four children and special friend, Becky Smith, also mourns his loss. There are many family members and friends who will miss his dry wit and willingness to help others.

There will be a prayer service on Friday, November 7, 2025 from 5:00-5:15 pm at The Amos Family Funeral Home with a visitation to follow until 8 pm.  A memorial service is planned from 9:00-9:30 am, Saturday, November 8, 2025 at The Amos Family Funeral Home. Graveside service will be held at Farlington Cemetery in Farlington, Kansas on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 12 pm.  

Memorial contributions to honor Mark can be sent to Rotary International - www.rotary.org or the Melanoma Research Alliance - www.curemelanoma.org