Mark Wayne Rupe

He was a farm hand where he harvested crops, and also did hard cement work during his younger years. After graduating from MacArthur High School, Mark moved to Dallas to attend DeVry University in Irving, Texas where he graduated with a Computer Science degree. Mark then went on to work in the Technology industry.

Hunting with family, especially with his son Zach, was one of Mark’s great loves. He was so excited about his first buck. He was a big Oklahoma Sooners Football fan and would never miss watching a game on TV. He also enjoyed watching and talking about the Dallas Cowboys with family. Mark was a Christian man who went to church every Sunday with his family. On Sundays, Mark would volunteer as an Usher at church. Mark loved to try new DIY projects that he learned all by himself through YouTube. He made knives, handmade leather men’s wallets and also canned peaches from the peach tree in his backyard.

Diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma cancer (kidney cancer) at 49 years old, Mark was given two years after being diagnosed, but made it 9.5 years. He fought valiantly to beat cancer to live for his family. He participated in numerous clinical treatment trials all over the U.S. until that certain treatment no longer worked. Then he moved on to the next trial, trying every new drug available in hope of a cure. Chemo treatments were planned around his children’s activities, like soccer games, trips to the deer lease and holidays, so he could spend as much quality time with family as possible.

On February 20, 1993, Mark married the love of his life, Maria Fe Pinaga (Rupe) at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Dallas, TX. Together they raised their children Zach and Sam. Mark loved his devoted and beautiful wife, a great life partner who taught him to enjoy Asian foods like Japanese and Chinese Food. They enjoyed traveling to Mexico on vacation, sailing, skiing and cruises. Mark loved supporting his children in their sports growing up including coaching them in Zach’s baseball and Sam’s soccer. He was a very present and engaged dad who made a point to attend every one of Sam’s soccer games when she was growing up until she graduated college - even when her game was almost 6 hours away. He was a guiding light to his son, Zach, who would call Mark for advice about anything and everything including hunting, fishing, work, school, or even to discuss OU Football. He is a smart dad who read a lot and gave advice to family, especially his kids. Mark also loved his dogs Gracie and Bella. They were so careful around him when he was on chemo treatments because he was sick, and his body hurt. Every Thanksgiving, Mark was designated and in charge of frying the Thanksgiving turkey. He enjoyed endless laughs with his wife Fe’s family, as well as playing poker with the brother-in-laws. Mark was a great husband, father, son, brother, nephew, uncle and friend.

Towards the end of his battle with cancer, he had been in and out of the hospital three times during the course of two months. On his third hospital admission, he knew that his end was near. Mark called for everyone to be around him a few days before he passed, which gave everyone a chance to talk and have closure. This gave everyone a chance to show their love to Mark before he passed.

Preceded in the death by sister Carla Ann Rupe-Miller. Mark is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Fe (Pinaga) Rupe, his precious children Zach and Sam Rupe and his fur babies Gracie and Bella, parents, brother and sister-in-law.

Mark will be dearly missed by all those that knew and loved him.

He was the Best Husband, Best Dad, Best Fishing Partner, Dog’s Best Friend and Our Hero!

We Love YOU!