Mark William Stitt of Blue Springs, Missouri, passed away on March 14, 2026, at age 67. Mark was born on August 18, 1958, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Barney Stitt Jr. and Helen Stitt. Mark graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1976, later working in the Social Security Administration as a claims clerk until his retirement in 2015.

Mark had only been working in Social Security for a short time when he met his wife, Sharon, as a co-worker among the building's staff in October 1978. Their first date to a Billy Joel concert sealed the deal and they were inseparable for the next 48 years, marrying in 1980 and raising two children, Angela and Greg.

Mark cared deeply for his loved ones, and worked extra jobs while his children were growing up to ensure he could take his family on an annual vacation. Mark instilled in his children not only a strong sense of empathy and levelheadedness, but individuality and creativity.

Many saw Mark as a larger-than-life personality: a 6-foot-6-inch man with a booming voice and an imposing beer gut who could keep a group rapt with attention as he shared stories, but his warmth and generosity to anyone who crossed his path will be remembered by all. Mark never met a stranger he couldn't become fast acquaintances with, and he wanted everyone to share in his love of good music, good food, laughter, and joy.

Mark was a lifelong drummer and a passionate fan of live music who frequently hosted a rotating group of musicians in his basement for rock and blues jam sessions, even as he eventually had to sit out most of the sessions himself. He loved bringing people together who had never met and would make sure his support for you was not only felt but wholeheartedly vocalized.

He had a high regard for the written word, and not only constantly devoured books but loved writing at length about any subject: his experience at a concert; the newest "jam report" from the basement; their cat transporting a living Siamese fighting fish from an aquarium to their bed's comforter while they slept; getting a garage door fixed; grilling out; seeing a new movie; or having a sleepover with his granddaughter Sophia.

Mark loved being Sophia’s “Papa,” and spent nearly every day of his retirement teaching her how to play the drums, helping her with school work, attending her plays and performances, and finding other ways to provide her the most fruitful, loving upbringing a granddaughter could hope for. When not spending time with his granddaughter, Mark would beam with pride while telling anyone in hearing distance how much he loved spending time with her and seeing her grow up.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Barney Stitt Jr. and Helen Stitt, and his sister Paula Tharp. He is survived by his wife Sharon Stitt; his daughter Angela with her husband Ryan and daughter Sophia; his son Greg with his wife Dana; and his siblings Mary, Rose, Matt, and Adam.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at The Emerald Event Space, 800 NW S. Outer Rd., Blue Springs, MO 64015 from 2:00pm - 6:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the American Heart Association.