MEADE – Mark R. Goldsberry, age 70, passed away Friday morning, May 8, 2020, at his Meade residence.

He was born March 15, 1950, at Fowler, Kansas, the son of Max R. and Betty Jean (Cook) Goldsberry. As a young boy he attended school in Garden City, Kansas, graduating from Garden City High School in 1968. After his graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving in Viet Nam as a Corporal with the Delta First Military Police Battalion. After his honorable discharge in 1975, he returned to Garden City.

On May 22, 1976, he married Shirley Waller at Garden City, Kansas. After their marriage, the couple made their home in Garden City, where he began working for the Finney County Sheriff's Office as a deputy officer for two years. He later continued his education by attending Fort Hays State University and later Wichita State University, receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. In 1979, he began his career with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks as a ranger for Cedar Bluff State Park. In December, 1980, he was transferred to manage the Meade State Park, spending his career here until his retirement in 2010. After his retirement he continued to serve as an officer for the Meade City Police Department.

He was a member of Saint John Lutheran Church and the Friends of the Meade State Lake. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, spending time outdoors, photograph, paleontology, playing his guitar and smoking his pipe, biology, making wood carvings, telling stories, and spending time with his family, friends, and especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley of Meade; his three daughters, Katie Jacobs and husband Matt of Mulvane, Kansas, Laura Hemphill and husband Nathan of Iuka, Kansas, and Elizabeth Goldsberry of Ellinwood, Kansas; a brother, Stuart G. (Gil) Goldsberry of Portland, Oregon; a sister, Deborah Morgan of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and seven grandchildren, Colton, Jacey, Caroline, Dakota, Bo, Archer, and Goldie.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Max and Betty Goldsberry.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 14, 2020, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade.  A celebration of Mark's life will be held at the Meade State Lake at a later date.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and support during Mark's life. Please know, they are deeply appreciative of your kindness, empathy, and desire to honor the wonderful life Mark has lived.

Being part of our great southwestern Kansas community, the family would like to keep you safe as well as recognize your desire to extend your condolences. The family looks forward to your attendance at Mark's celebration of life service that will be held at the Meade State Lake in the near future.

In the interest of the public health and safety during this time, if local friends and family attend on Thursday, please know we will follow CDC guidelines so we can keep you and our community safe.

The family would welcome memorials to the Meade State Lake in care of the funeral home.