Mark Edward Neff

Mark Edward was a son, father, brother, and friend to many. When he was little, his older sisters Mary and Martha loved to tease him and call him Marcus Welby, M.D., which had him very confused about his name for some time! Mark was born October 8, 1971, to Billie Ray and Sharon Louise Neff in Norman, Oklahoma. He lived and worked in Norman his entire life.

For many years as a young man, Mark, with his older brother Michael, owned and operated Norman Fence Company. During that time, he married Heather Pitt; they were together thirteen years and had two amazing children. Mark was elated when their first child, Mark Edward Neff, II, was born on his birthday. He considered this the greatest gift he’d ever received for his birthday. After a couple of years, they had their second-born, Maryanne Elizabeth Neff, who was born on her Aunt Mary’s birthday. The two children became known as ‘Little Mark’ and ‘Little Mary’ to the entire Neff family, and Mark Edward loved it.

Mark was heartbroken when he lost his son on May 6, 2020, and he thought of him every day. After losing his son, Mark’s purpose in life shifted. He lived with the intentions of doing right by his daughter, and he worked daily on being a better Christian, man and father. Some of Maryanne’s fondest memories are of going to church with her dad and their daily Facetime calls. The night before his passing, Mark was bragging to his family about his daughter enrolling in classes at OU for concurrent enrollment. He was so proud of her accomplishments and loved her with all his heart.

Mark was known as the fun dad and uncle, and the one the family could count on anytime they needed help. He was a man of many talents and interests and had lots of friends and family who loved him. He was an avid OU fan, a hunter, and a fisherman. Whether he was watching a game with his friend Danny, going out on a hunt with his friend Thad, fishing over the hill with his friend Tim, talking politics with his friend Chad, or over at his sister Martha’s house hanging out, he was always laughing and telling stories. Mark was a consummate storyteller and, everywhere he went, he had the knack of keeping listeners wanting to hear more. He had a passion for talking about world events, politics and religion with anyone willing to listen, and he knew no strangers.

In recent years, Mark had faithfully returned to church and had been baptized. This last year, he had started going back to Lakeside Church of God, especially to Bible study on Wednesday nights. The connections he had at the church had become very important to him. He specifically loved worshiping with two of his favorite members, Iola Howard and Clara Pyle, and driving to Noble to get fresh vegetables and preserves from them and Carolyn and Lee Bird on Saturday mornings.

Mark was preceded in death by his father, Billie Ray Neff, and his son, Mark Edward Neff, II.

Mark is survived by his daughter, Maryanne of Norman; his mother, Sharon Neff of Norman; brothers and sisters: Mike Neff, Mary Neff, and Martha and Richie Wolcott; nieces and nephews: Katie, William and George Neff, and Trey, Keely, Cameron and Alexis Wolcott.

The viewing will be on Tuesday, August 16, from 11am to 8pm, at John Ireland Funeral Home in Moore. The service will be held at Lakeside Church of God, on Alameda, in Norman at 10am.

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