MARK VERNON EMERY

Mark V. Emery, age 61, of Lee's Summit, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, July 11, 2020 surrounded by loving family.

A funeral service celebrating Mark's life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 17, 2020 at Cullen Funeral Home, 612 W. Foxwood Dr. Raymore, Missouri 64083 followed by a burial at Raymore Cemetery in Raymore, Missouri. Visitation will be held the evening before on Thursday, July 16, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cullen Funeral Home.

Born in Gravette, Arkansas on March 10, 1959, Mark was the son of Walter Vernon Emery and Margie Gale (Thompson) Emery. Mark attended school in Republic, MO, where he was an accomplished athlete in track, baseball, basketball and football, always very competitive. His family moved to Raytown, Missouri, where Mark got his GED and began college early.  He completed his Associate of Arts at Crowder College in Neosho, Missouri, while living with his grandparents, Gale and Ida Belle Thompson in Lanagan, Missouri.  There he met and fell in love with Kimmie Barker.  In May 1978 Mark and Kimmie were married, and Mark went to work in the computer industry in Kansas City.  He also completed his Bachelor of Science at Park College in Parkville, MO, graduating Magna Cum Laude. In 1983, they moved to Los Angeles, where he pursued technical sales in the computer industry. Mark was thrilled when their first child, Olivia, was born in Santa Monica.  They moved to Charlotte, NC, where son, John and daughter, Grace were born, and Mark moved into sales in the telecommunications industry. Olivia, John and Grace were Mark's greatest pride and joy.  He always enjoyed time and activities with his children.  In the later part of Mark's life, he was stricken with severe back degeneration and pain, followed with other health issues. He was a dad, husband, son, brother, uncle, friend, and coach, and will be missed by many.

Mark was a member of World Revival Church in south Kansas City, Missouri.  Mark enjoyed shooting and developing his own film, drawing and painting.  He also loved reading, and was an avid sports fan, especially of the Los Angeles Lakers, Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.  But Mark's greatest joy was his children and spending time with family and friends.

Mark was preceded in death by his father-in-law, William Kenneth Barker.

He leaves behind his loving wife of over forty-two years, Kim Emery; parents, Walter and Margie Emery; son, John Vernon Emery; two daughters, Olivia Rose Riportella (husband Nicholas) and Elizabeth Grace Emery; mother-in-law, Hester Haney; sister Pamela Emery Chase (husband Steve); sister-in-law, Shelley Paul (husband Jim); brother-in-law, Matthew Barker (wife Lisa); and six nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wayside Waifs in Kansas City, MO.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278