Mark Douglas Lohman

While engaging in one of his many hobbies, Mark Douglas Lohman, of Independence, Missouri, stepped into eternity with Jesus on Thursday, February 22, 2024; a very untimely and unexpected shock to his family and friends, as he was always a glowing picture of health and vitality. The family awaits the results of an autopsy report for the final cause of death.

There will be a public visitation Thursday evening, February 29th, at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Road, Kansas City, MO, 64138, from 6-8 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to All For Moms Foundation, and can be made online at www.allformomsfoundation.org, or by check made payable to All For Moms Foundation, with "Mark Lohman" in the memo line.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.

Mark was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 12^th, 1959, to Wesley and Blondena (nee Smith) Lohman, and except for some time he spent at Southwest Baptist University during his college years, has lived in the KC metro area his whole life.

A multi-faceted person, he was so many things to so many people. It is daunting to try to define all the energy that was Mark Lohman. The task is like trying to contain a Texas tornado! (He would greatly appreciate that reference, ask his children and friends, severe weather and the threat of tornadic activity was but one feature of his many passions.) Everyone who knew Mark knew he had a zeal for life. He approached all he did with an electric intensity. Whatever pursuit he took up, he gave it his all.

Mark enjoyed a close family growing up, with one set of grandparents next door, and cousins in the area.  He loved retelling stories of the happy holiday gatherings with family all around, as his mom, aunts, and grandmothers were all great cooks and hostesses.

Mark worked with various companies in the security industry since 1988, to include ADT, GE, Siemens, Stanley, and the last almost ten years being with Electronic Supply in midtown KC.  He had many colleagues with whom he stayed in contact through the years.

Music was a huge part of who Mark was. You can’t separate him from his music. Early in high school the seed of his love of music sprouted and bloomed big in his heart. He was involved in many contests and achieved high honors throughout his educational life. He graduated from the Conservatory of Music at UMKC with a Bachelor of Music degree, went on to pursue a Masters in Saxophone Performance, and developed into an accomplished musician who would, his whole life, play professionally around the Kansas City region. His most recent “gig” was being a part of the local band “One Night Stand”, a talented group of men who played mostly classic rock. He thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie and great friendships they shared. He also played with Platinum Express and Rogers’ Brothers Heritage. Mark made many lifelong friends in the music industry.

What a dynamic woodwinds player! He could set fire to the keys on his sax! He also played clarinet and flute, as well as the piano and drums. His mom used to drily comment on the seeming fortune they spent on instruments, lessons, and travel, but she always beamed with pride when sitting in a church pew hearing him play, knowing they had gotten a wonderful return on their investment.

The passion Mark had for music was so evident when he played. Because it was anointed, it moved people on an emotional level. He served on several church music ministry teams through the years, always humbled to be part of the design to lift the body of Christ into a reverent and worshipful time of praise to the Lord. Being able to lead others to the throne of Grace was one of Mark’s greatest joys.

He was equally at home in his delivery of a Jazz or Big Band piece, or a rock song like Deacon Blues or Nights in White Satin. At one gig on a particular Saturday night at a local venue, he was playing the solo part of Nights in White Satin, with such emotion that one of the customers kept throwing money at him on the stage, apparently so moved by Mark’s rendition (or so the story goes). Mark just had that ability to bring the heat.  He LIVED for his music, it was therapy to him in many ways.

A wonderful and encouraging teaching/mentor, he taught music lessons through the years, loving to pour his ardent love of jazz – and music in general - into young minds.

To say that Mark was passionate about outdoor sports would truly be an understatement. If it had feathers, fins, or antlers, he had a devotion to it. An avid hunting enthusiast, he was craaaaazy about deer hunting, especially the trips he shared with his then-teenage son, Austin - out of which came a number of humorous stories. Mark also loved to turkey hunt with his dad, son, and friends; as well many bird hunting trips with “the guys”. And we can’t forget the fishies! His grandmother and mother gave him his love of “ wetting a line”, and many were the hilarious stories of family fishing forays. When he and his wife Lisa took weekend trips, a fishing pole and some minimal equipment always clandestinely found their way somewhere to the back of the vehicle. Lisa often joked that if he had the chance, he would literally fish in a puddle, and she wasn’t too far from the truth.

Patriotism and his faith in Jesus were another huge slice of who Mark was.  He loved America and was saddened by the direction of the country the last thirty years or so. He was a man of strong belief in the ideas of Conservatism and could at times, unintentionally, get sideways with people of a different stripe if their ideas differed from his, and he let his dedication to the topic get the best of him.  The older he got, that he did this grieved him. While his ideals did not change, his communication of them softened, especially after the death of his parents.  His desire became about honoring the memory of his dad, for whom sharing Jesus was the more important topic.

Married for 37 years to Lisa, they shared a great affection for the outdoors, which proved to be a life-long bond in their marriage, whether it was simply enjoying working in their yard, a companionable silence around their firepit, working together on never-ending projects around their home, taking serendipitous roadtrips, bike riding, or hiking. They also enjoyed doing various mission projects. They loved to laugh and have fun. According to their son, they had their "own brand” of humor (and apparently he is not the only one to think this!) – but their humor, too, was a bond that enabled them to battle through tough times. Mark had a never-ending supply of hilarious Three Stooges and Barney Fife clips that he shared with her, in spite of her protestations about it being the 475^th time she had had to endure Barney Fife reciting his “Juanita” poem.

Mark was a devoted father, a fun one at that (meaning Lisa was often saddled with the onerous task of discipline, as the kids tell it). His three children, Ashley, Kaitlyn, and Austin were a huge part of who Mark was.  He especially enjoyed their activities as kids, whether dancing, twirling, or cheerleading; from BVAC basketball and soccer in grade school all the way through high school sports and assorted activities.  He was known to be a vigorous and vocal “supporter” from the bleachers, often assisting referees with what he felt was NEEDED bleacher-side advice (they never seemed too grateful about that, though?). He was crazy proud of each of his kids’ accomplishments, from kindergarten to the present. He immensely enjoyed the adults they have become and could often be somewhat startled - and challenged - at times when their strong perspectives on a topic differed from his.

Mark lamented how busy life was for families; sad there never seemed enough time to spend more time with his kids and grandchildren. Sadly, the littlest ones will grow up not knowing just what a fun “Pop” and “PiPiLi” (just ask) he was.

Mark lost his parents within 39 days of each other in 2022, and had not overcome their loss. To know that he has been reunited with them, and others who have gone ahead of him, brings Lisa a peace that passes all understanding. We who loved him and yet remain here, have a big hole in our hearts, but because of the work Jesus did on the Cross, our eternity, like Mark’s, is made secure in Heaven, and we can trust we will be reunited with those whom we loved who've gone on ahead of us, just like Mark.

Mark was preceded in death by his cherished mother and father, Blondena and Wesley Lohman; a brother, Gary Stephen Lohman, and numerous aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Lisa (nee Irving) Lohman of Independence; beloved daughters Ashley White (Brandon), of Tonganoxie, KS, and Kaitlyn Hauser (Isaac), of Lee’s Summit; beloved son, Austin Lohman (Allie) of Spring Hill, KS; five beloved grandchildren, Parker, Foster, and Claire White, of Tonganoxie, KS; and Easton and Rylan Lohman, of Spring Hill, KS; and a number of beloved cousins on both side of his family.

A blazing light has gone through the sky and passed quickly – too quickly – into eternity.   We pray that in the way you knew Mark, his memory will always blaze a smile across your heart.

In lieu of flowers, Mark would be thrilled to know you made a donation to his daughter-in-law’s mission-oriented organization, All For Moms Foundation.  You may do that online at allformomsfoundation.org, or by check the night of his visitation. Please make your check to All For Moms Foundation, and be sure to put Mark Lohman in the memo line.