Mark Allen Farris
January 25, 1961 – September 11, 2021
Mark Allen Farris, P.E., born on January 25, 1961 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away on September 11, 2021 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Mark, the son of William “Bill” and Adelia Farris, was raised with his three brothers primarily in Bethany and Tulsa, OK graduating from Tulsa Memorial H.S. in 1979. He attended Oklahoma State University graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1984. It was the OSU Stillwater campus where he met his best friend and bride of 37 years, Lori Linn Gabel Farris. Together they raised four children and built a beautiful family and life together in Edmond, Oklahoma. In 1997 Mark and Lori founded Red Plains Professional, Inc. where Mark serves as CEO. RPP provides professional engineering, design, environmental, and GIS services with offices in Oklahoma, California, Washington, and Alaska which has become an RPP Family. Mark is a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and is proud to have RPP previously named Native American Program Business of the year by ODOT. Mark and Lori purchased a 28 acre farm in 2016 in Logan County, OK. Mark bought his first John Deere tractor and has been working on making it a home in dreams of retirement ever since. Mark is an avid sports fan, loves golf, fishing, and all things OSU Cowboys. More recently, Mark became “Pops” to three grandchildren that he loves dearly. His family is his greatest source of pride and joy.
Mark is respected, admired and loved by many people, and leaves behind many who hold cherished memories of times spent together. Most especially his family. Mark is survived by his wife, Lori Farris, Edmond, OK; sons Connor Farris and wife Amanda, Midwest City, OK; Dr. Taylor Farris, Manchester, NH; Ethan Farris and wife Chandler, Edmond, OK; and daughter Hannah and husband Tommy Ryland, Guthrie, OK; three grandchildren Tucker Holmes, Charlee Sitton, and Olivia Farris that love their “Pops”; his mother, Adelia Farris, Tulsa, OK; brothers Dave Farris and wife Donna, Broken Arrow, OK; Kevin Farris and wife Kelly, Lakewood, CO; and Bob Farris and wife Trish, Plano, TX; and many wonderful nieces, nephews and friends. Mark is preceded in death by his father William “Bill” E. Farris.
Mark’s leadership, integrity, dedication and smile will be immensely missed by so many friends and family. A memorial service will be held Friday, September 17, 2021 at 2pm Matthews Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 601 S. Kelly, Edmond, OK.
We will be live streaming this service in an effort to accommodate those people that wish to attend but feel they should not due to health regulations. To watch the service CLICK HERE to go to our YouTube page. Click on ‘Videos’, then ‘Live Streams’.
Thinking of you, sending hugs your way and asking God to send His Angels to hold you, listen for their wings, cling to family and cling to love, I am so very sorry for your loss, what a wonderful man, father and husband.
Sending prayers to his family, his work family and all that know him. He was such a great boss to me. He gave me confidence to do things I wasn’t able to. I’m so saddened by this news.
Our hearts are just breaking for the whole Farris family. Sending hugs and prayers your way.
I’ve known Mark since the late 90’s when he allowed me the honor of doing business with RPP and I loved watching the business grow and getting to see the construction of the office (and to see how happy he was when he paid off the mortgage).
I always enjoyed my visits with Mark and will miss our chats about baseball and life in general. He truly was an inspiration.
My sincere thoughts and prayers for the family.
I was introduced to Mark in the early 1990’s; as I married his Aunt Melinda. From the very first time I met Mark and Lori; they both made me feel as though I had known them all my life. Mark and Lori used to always host there family Thanksgiving Dinner every year in Edmond; and would welcome all the families to their home; for a wonderful fun gathering. There we could watch and see how all the younger one’s had grown; and catch up with all on what had happened through the past year.
I always enjoyed talking with Mark; and his witty ways of making me chuckle. He will be missed very much; and he will always be in my thoughts; and I will remember the wonderful times we shared together. Even though I never did see him on his John Deere Tractor; I will have my own vision of him; setting on it and driving it; with his beautiful wife Lori; looking on; admiring on how sexy he looked on his JD. He will be missed so much.
Mark was a man that carried an expectation of others to manage themselves with a certain set of ethics and self- responsibility, both personally and professionally. This was natural for him to expect, given the way he managed his life and affairs. He treated those in his life with genuine care and a sense of personal connection that he gave openly to so many. Mark had clear priorities in his life and was one of the most honorable people I have ever known. I have not lost a good friend and mentor with Mark’s passing, as the many things Mark gave me through the years are inside of me and will be carried forward both in my personal life and professionally. I am the President at Red Plains, having worked along side of Mark for 13 years, and it is my honor to carry forward Mark’s legacy at Red Plains, professionally. Personally, as a man, father, husband, and maybe one day a grandfather, I will aspire to be the best man I can be in remembrance of my friend and mentor.
This world needs more people like Mr. Mark Farris in it. My thoughts and prayers are with Mark’s family during this dificult time.
Lori and Family – it was with heavy hearts we received the news of Mark’s passing from Aunt Dee. I am so glad of the time we had together at Uncle Bill’s memorial. Mark left us much too early. Our prayers are with you during this sad time. Sorry we can not be there to say one last goodbye.
Rest in peace, good sir. Thank you for all the help and guidance you provided me along the way. I will always remember you as someone I can look up to.
I have had the honor of working with Mark even before he went out on his own, and he has always been an honorable man to work with.
I will miss Mark but know he is in a wonderful place with our Lord.
My prayers go out to his family and friends.