Tenacious in the court room, yet a gentle, loving and generous family man, Mark Grant Stingley passed away unexpectedly after a short illness on July 9, 2017, in Kansas City, Missouri. He was highly accomplished and respected in his 64 short years on this earth.
Mark was born on July 25, 1952, in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Jane (Becraft) and Leroy Stingley. He graduated from Central High School in St. Joseph in 1970 and continued his studies at William Jewell College, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. A leader of the Cardinal swim team, Mark’s record-setting 100 Butterfly time of 55:80 stood until 2011. His leadership was evident on campus as well, where he served as a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity, J-Club, Student Senate and Interfraternity Council. The William Jewell campus held a special place in Mark’s heart, where he met the love of his life, Cynthia Reames Stingley, in the fall of 1971. Mark’s support of his alma mater continued more than four decades, and he was most recently humbled and honored to serve as a member of the college’s Board of Trustees.
Mark and Cyndi were married on August 13, 1977, at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village. Cyndi followed Mark through law school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he received his J.D. in 1977. His 40-year legal career was marked by a stellar record and a commitment to client service, and many of Mark’s best friends were in the legal community. He joined Bryan Cave in 1995 as a partner in the Kansas City office and most recently served as Global Head of the Bankruptcy and Restructuring and Creditors’ Rights Client Services Group. He was a proud Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, where he served on the College’s Eighth Circuit Admissions Council and co-chaired the Education Committee. He was a member of the American Bar Association, a Missouri State Affiliate of the Turnaround Management Association, a member of the National Board of Directors of the American Bankruptcy Institute and its Executive Committee and was National Vice President for ABI Membership at the time of his death. Among his proudest accomplishments included being named the 2016 Lawyer of the Year for Kansas City Bankruptcy/Insolvency Law and the 2014 Lawyer of the Year for Kansas City Bankruptcy-Litigation in Best Lawyers in America; being ranked annually in the Kansas City Business Journal’s Best of the Bar; and as a Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyer. He loved mentoring others, serving as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law from 2007 – 2016; contributing to many books on commercial bankruptcy litigation; and speaking at conferences around the country on bankruptcy law. He was active in the Kansas City community in various non-profit organizations during his career.
For all his professional accolades, nothing compared to Mark’s accomplishments as a loving husband, father and grandfather. Many of the family’s favorite memories were vacationing together or cheering on their beloved Chiefs and Royals as long-time season ticket holders for both clubs. Mark is survived by his wife, Cyndi, and his children Jeff (Gina), Erin (Justin) and Kyle (Danielle). Mark and Cyndi were so proud to watch their children’s careers and lives unfold. One of Mark’s passions was coaching and cheering on his children’s many sporting teams and he looked forward to continuing that tradition with his grandchildren, Jack, Connor, Brynn, Blaire and Anna. He eagerly awaited the birth of his 6th grandchild this fall. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant son, Drew. He is also survived by a sister, Jonal (Chuck) and a brother, John (Amanda), many nieces and nephews and friends around the country.
Mark’s funeral service will take place at 11 am on Monday, July 17, 2017, at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas. The family will honor his life with a reception at the Carriage Club following the service, and burial will take place at Mount Moriah Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to William Jewell College, 500 College Hill, Liberty, Missouri. 64068. Mark’s passing leaves an enormous void in so many circles and to all those who knew him.
Arrangements under the direction of Mt Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18