Mark Douglas Gofourth, age 64, passed away on Sunday, January 2, 2022, at Ascension St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Mark was born on October 24, 1957, in Parsons, Kansas to Delbert and Barbara (Shepard) Gofourth. He and his brothers were raised in Parsons, and he graduated from Labette County High School in 1975. Mark was an accomplished high school wrestler, and he carried this love of sports throughout his life.
Mark began his career at the Coffeyville Oil Refinery in 1981 where he amassed an impressive 40-year career with the last 27 as part of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters L.U. 441. Through all those years, there was never a job worth quitting and never a day worth calling in sick for. The workday never ended when he punched the clock at 3:30, as he would put his many skills to use fixing not only his own kids’ cars (and their lawnmowers), but the neighborhood kids’ cars too. Mark was always partnering with his family to replace roofs and lay carpet, while always looking for the next project in his garage.
Retirement was right around the corner (or so he said), which surely would have led to him showing up unannounced to help his friends and family with the projects they couldn’t do on their own.
On October 23, 1998, Mark married Teresa (Hill) Gofourth in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Since then, they have raised their children and grandchildren in South Coffeyville, Oklahoma. Over the last 23 years, if you had walked into their home, you would have found it full of love, passion, and laughter.
Mark lived his life intentionally, passing along strong morals, unwavering work ethic, and genuine selflessness. His favorite stories were always about the times he had spent with family and friends. He loved to listen, but when he spoke, it was always the answer you needed.
Those surviving to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Teresa Gofourth; mother, Barbara Gofourth of Parsons, Kansas; children, Jordon Gofourth and wife, Stephanie of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Dylan Gofourth and wife, Tia of Hondo, Texas, Jason Kelley of South Coffeyville, Oklahoma, Christina Kelley of South Coffeyville, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Alex, Eli, Isaac and Sylvia Kelley; brothers, Rodney Gofourth and wife, Ramona of Edna, Kansas, Scott Gofourth and wife, Brenda of Parsons, Kansas; numerous nieces, nephews, extended relatives and close friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Delbert Gofourth.
A Celebration of Life will be held by the family on Friday, January 7, 2022, at 1:00pm at the First Baptist Church in South Coffeyville, Oklahoma. Services will be officiated by Wade Lamb.
Friends may sign the guest register at the First Baptist Church in South Coffeyville before and after the Celebration of Life.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Mark Gofourth Scholarship Fund. Please visit https://everloved.com/life-of/mark-gofourth/ to make your contributions to the memorial fund.
David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville assisted with arrangements. To leave a message for the family online, visit www.dwbfh.com
