Mark R. Godbold, 57, Olathe, Kansas passed away on May 9, 2022. Mark was born in Kansas City, Kansas on March 26, 1965 to Shirley & Dell Godbold. He graduated from Shawnee Mission Northwest High School and received his bachelor’s degree in General Studies from Wichita State University where he studied criminal justice.
Mark worked for Frito Lay and General Motors for a short amount of time before he found his true passion with the Fire Department. His career began at South Johnson County Fire and Rescue, and then went to serve the public at Merriam Fire Department. In 1994 Mark joined the Olathe Fire Department, where he dedicated his service for 28 years. Mark was the first African American Captain and Battalion Chief in Johnson County. He served others and the community proudly. Mark was also a member of Olathe Professional Fire Fighters Association, IAFF 2542.
Mark attended Kaw Prairie Community Church in Lenexa. He thoroughly enjoyed debating with his daughter, Hallie, and spending time with his son, Tysen, watching him play baseball or going fishing. In his spare time, he provided commentary while watching fire videos and laughed along with comedy videos on YouTube.
Mark was preceded in passing by his father, Dell Godbold.
Left to always cherish Mark’s memory is his wife of 17 years, Melonie Godbold; daughter, Hallie Godbold; son, Tysen Godbold; mother, Shirley Godbold; sister Marla Newberry and her husband James; brother-in-law, Jarrod Goentzel and his wife Laura Vanderhart; nieces, Aleia and her spouse Lauren Lockhart and Jaelyn Newberry; and nephews, Brandon Newberry, Ian Goentzel and Sam Goentzel along with many other aunts, uncles, cousins, and other family.
A gathering for family and friends will be Friday, May 13, 2022 from 5-8 pm at Heartland Community Church, 12175 S. Strang Line Rd., Olathe, Kansas. The funeral service for Mark will be Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 1:00 pm, also at Heartland Community Church. The cemetery service is private for family, close friends and the Olathe Fire Department family immediately following at Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to a 529 college fund that is established for Tysen’s future education. Checks may be sent to: Learning Quest, PO Box 2920 ,Shawnee Mission, KS 66201-9202, Attention: Ugift J8Z-K88. Online donations accepted at: www.Ugift.com. Please call 1-800-579-2203 with any questions.
