Mark “G-pa” “Gpal” Fox

May 22, 1954 – September 24, 2026

Mark Fox passed away on September 24, 2026, at the age of 72, at the Lake of the Ozarks, the place he loved most.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Beverly “Griffey” Fox.

Born and raised in Warrensburg, Missouri, Mark graduated from Warrensburg High School in 1972. His senior year, he received All-State honors as quarterback.

In 1974, Mark joined the United States Navy, beginning a distinguished career spanning 24 years and eight months. He retired with the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer, having served during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. His military honors included two Navy Achievement Medals, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, three Southwest Asia Service Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, and the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist insignia.

But Mark's greatest contribution to the Navy wasn't measured in medals or ribbons. It was the lasting impression he made on his squadron and the men who served under his command. Some who served with him carried the lessons he taught them long after their Navy days were over. His greatest legacy in uniform was not the rank he achieved or the decorations he earned, but the lives he touched and the men he helped shape along the way.

Following his retirement from the Navy, Mark began a second career as a computer specialist at the University of Kansas Medical Center's Landon Center on Aging, where he worked until his second retirement.

If you knew Mark, you knew he was one of a kind. He was funny, smart, and possessed a quick wit that could have you laughing one minute and shaking your head the next. He always seemed to have advice to give, whether you asked for it or not.

Mark had a few great loves in life, and he wasn't shy about any of them. He was a devoted Kansas City Chiefs fan, cheering them on through the good seasons, the bad seasons, and everything in between.

Then there was Buc-ee's. To Mark, it wasn't just a gas station; it was a destination. And Costco? He could turn a simple shopping trip into an adventure, coming home with things he never knew he needed and probably enough supplies to last through the next football season.

Mark also had a lifelong fascination with technology. Whether it was computers, the latest gadgets, or figuring out how something worked, he loved staying on top of the newest innovations. He was the kind of guy who enjoyed technology simply for the fun of it, and there was always another gadget worth investigating.

But perhaps his greatest love, outside of his family, was living at the Lake of the Ozarks. It was his little piece of paradise and exactly where he wanted to be. He loved the water, the scenery, and the freedom of lake life. After a lifetime of hard work, military service, and two retirements, he had earned the right to enjoy life on his own terms, and there was nowhere else he'd rather call home.

Mark was a homebody, he was perfectly happy staying home, doing his own thing, keeping up with technology, watching the Chiefs, and enjoying the company of the people he loved. And stubborn? Absolutely. Once he had his mind made up, good luck changing it. But that stubbornness was just part of who he was, and those who loved him wouldn't have changed it for the world.

He had a way of making people laugh, a way of giving advice when you needed it (and sometimes when you didn't), and a personality you couldn't forget. He wasn't perfect, but he was ours, and we loved him for exactly who he was.

But above all else, the most important people in Mark's life were his only daughter, his “favorite” son-in-law (a title he proudly bestowed upon him, with no competition for the position), and his three granddaughters, who knew him simply as G-pa. They were his greatest pride and joy, and he loved them more than words could ever express. He treasured the time he spent with them, watching his granddaughters grow and creating memories they would carry with them forever. Whether he was offering his trademark unsolicited advice, sharing a laugh, or just enjoying their company, his love for his family was always there. Beneath that stubborn exterior and quick wit was a man with an enormous heart who would have done anything for the people he loved. Of all the titles he earned throughout his life, Dad and G-pa were the ones that meant the most.

Mark is survived by his daughter, Amanda Jones, and her husband, Brian Jones, his granddaughters, Madelyn, Lexie, and Laira. Sister, Janet (Fox) Cozza, and husband, Bill. Brother, Larry “Chuck” Fox, and wife, Donette. Sister, Linda Sutherland. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, along with family and friends who will forever cherish his memory, his humor, and the lasting impression he made on their lives.

Rest easy, G-pa. You've earned it.

Mark’s funeral service will be held at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, located at 5201 S. Southwood Road, Springfield, MO 65804. The service will include full military honors in recognition of his 24 years and eight months of dedicated service to the United States Navy and his country.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to Give an Hour at www.giveanhour.org , an organization dedicated to providing mental health support to military service members, veterans, and their families.

Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home.