Mario James Calbone

Mario was born on September 15, 1976, in Portage, Wisconsin, to Sam and Kathie Calbone. Two years later, he became a big brother when Anthony was born. They lived in many states throughout his childhood, finally settling in Oklahoma, where he met and married Carrie, his wife of 21 years, on March 17, 2003. Together, they raised their two sons, Vincent and Luca, starting in Oklahoma and then in Phoenix, Arizona.

Mario graduated from Palmetto High School in Miami, Florida, in 1994. In February of 1995 he enlisted in the Army Reserves as a medic/LPN. While in the Army Reserves, Mario attended the University of Oklahoma, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and developed his love for the Sooners. After college, he worked as a surgical nurse in Oklahoma City, where he met the love of his life. In 2010, Mario earned his MBA from Oklahoma City University.

Mario was commissioned as an Officer in the Army Reserve Unit, then switched to active duty Air Force in 2004. He deployed twice during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He fulfilled his dream of becoming an FBI agent in 2009 and served until his retirement in 2020. Mario was a true patriot who lived life serving his country.

Mario grew up playing a variety of sports including baseball, basketball, soccer, and badminton. He loved the KC Royals and especially George Brett. He loved University of Oklahoma football and basketball, as well as the KC Chiefs. One major highlight of his life was attending the 2023 Super Bowl, where he celebrated the Kansas City Chiefs’ win.

Mario enjoyed running marathons and hiking, including completing the rim-to-rim hike of the Grand Canyon two years ago. He treasured family trips to many Major League Baseball stadiums, national parks, and Sooner football games.

Of all the roles in his life, his favorite was being a devoted husband and father of his two sons, Vinny and Luca. Some of his favorite memories were coaching his sons’ baseball and basketball teams.

Mario’s great love for the Lord and strong Catholic faith gave him strength throughout his life and especially during his long battle with cancer. He was an inspiration to many, living life to its fullest and keeping a positive attitude despite his illness, embodying his advice to his sons to “Always move forward.” He never asked, “Why me?” but instead gracefully took every bump in the road and continued to move forward, believing adversity only makes us stronger as individuals and as a family. Mario did not die of cancer, he lived with cancer until he died. He was loved and respected by those who knew him.

Mario’s journey on earth may have ended, but his legacy will live on in the beautiful young men he has raised, and in the fond memories his friends and family will cherish.

Mario is survived by his wife Carrie L. (Atkins) Calbone and two sons, Vincent and Luca Calbone (Surprise, AZ); parents Sam and Kathie Calbone (Tucson, AZ); brother Anthony (Laura) Calbone and two nephews (Bloomington, MN); and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents Nina and Angelo Calbone (Wheeling, WV) and maternal grandparents Mary and Jim Schubert (Wheeling, WV).

On Thursday, November 7, a closed-casket public viewing will be held at 3-6pm, followed by the Rosary at 6pm at Surprise Funeral Care, 16063 W Bell Rd, Surprise, AZ 85374. A church service will be held on Friday, November 8, at 10:30am at Saint Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, 17111 W Bell Rd, Surprise, AZ 85374. Family, friends, and others are invited to reminisce and honor the life of Mario.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to further research for hemangiopericytoma by visiting

https://giving.utdallas.edu/sft-research