Mark Larison, 63, of Gladstone, Missouri, died Tuesday evening, February 20, 2024, at Liberty Hospital, Liberty, Mo.

Mark was born May 7, 1960 in Kansas City, Missouri. His parents, Art and Mary lived in Hickman Mills. He was an only child until March, 1963 when he became a big brother to Edward and again in December of 1967 he became a big brother again to Jane.

At age 9, the family moved to Newport, WA where he started the 4th grade. They remained in Newport until the 70’s when the family moved to Spokane, WA where Mark lived most of his life.

In Spokane, Mark went to Sacajawea Jr. High and Joel E. Ferris High School. He was an actor at Ferris and in Community Theatre and played rolls such as “The Scare Crow” in the Wizard of Oz, “Charlie” in Flowers for Algernon and starred in “Little Miss Firecracker” in Community Theatre. He was a star.

In 1984 he moved to St. Thomas, USVI, where he worked as a waiter for Alexander’s Restaurant and also worked in a custom Jewelry Shop where he learned about gold and beautiful gem stones; returning to Spokane in 1986 to attend his sister’s graduation.

His first jobs included working in the food service industry for places like KFC and Dick’s Hamburgers. Mark settled on a career with United Health Care Services Credit Union. He moved through different jobs until he found that Fraud was his passion. He retired after 20 years.

After retirement Mark found great joy as a Virtual Railfan and made many friends while watching trains. His favorite train depot is in La Plata, MO which he visited 16 different times.

Mark is survived by his Mother and Step-father Mary and Charles Smith, Trenton, MO. His sister Jane Larison of Newport, WA; nephew Kyle (Ally) Larison, Cheney, WA; a great-niece Makyla Larison in Savoy, TX. Mark has 3 step-siblings that also survive him: Mark Smith of Spokane, Laryn Smith of Spokane and Mary K. (Russ) Schroter of Cary, NC; and first cousins Rodger Larison, Overland Park, KS and Amy Larison, Mesquite, TX.

He is preceded in death by his Father, Arthur Lee Larison, 1995 and his younger brother Edward Larison, 2021.

Graveside memorial services will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, March 1, 2024, at the Laurel Oak Cemetery, Windsor, with Pastor Jason McCray officiating. The family suggests memorials to Harbor Hospice of Kansas City, MO  or Laurel Oak Cemetery, Windsor, MO, in care of the Hadley Funeral Home, Windsor. 

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/spokesman/name/mark-larison-obituary?id=54464186