Mark Allan Rounds, 68, of Highland, KS passed peacefully in his home on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. Surrounded by beloved family and friends, Mark entered into his heavenly home after living courageously every day throughout his journey with stage 4 cancer for more than a year.

Mark was born on June 22, 1958, in Warrenton, VA to Paul Hampton Rounds and Bernice “Bea” Marie Zeltner. During his first few years of life, Mark’s mother and father were stationed at the United States embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, where Mark’s earliest memories were running on the beach with his Lebanese nanny. The family returned to Fort Devens in Massachusetts where Mark began school, before relocating to Severance, KS following his father’s retirement from the Army. Mark began attending elementary school in Severance in the second grade where he completed his primary education and graduated from Midway High School in 1976. Mark’s love of sports began during his time at Midway where he lettered in football, basketball, track, and cross country. Mark often reminisced of fond childhood memories fishing, swimming, and camping along the Wolf River, playing basketball in the barn at their house on the farm, and riding his horse, Tango. After graduation, Mark attended Highland Junior College, where he played basketball and earned an Associate of Arts degree in 1978. Taking a year break from school, Mark worked for Unit Rail Anchor Co. in Atchison, KS before returning to school at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS. While at PSU, Mark met his future wife, Anita, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in park and recreation administration with a minor in psychology in 1981. Mark’s initial love of parks, outdoors, and community was inspired by his admiration of Krug Park in St. Joseph, MO.

Mark married Anita Collins Rounds of Highland, KS on April 23, 1983, in Tulsa, OK and celebrated 43 years of marriage earlier this year. Mark and Anita lived in Oklahoma for 30 years, raising their family in Claremore, OK until moving to Lexington, MO, and eventually returning to their family home in Highland, KS. Mark and Anita moved to Claremore from Tulsa in 1992 where Mark accepted the position of Parks and Recreation Director and built the home where they raised their children. During that time, Mark further cultivated his enthusiasm for landscaping and love of animals. Throughout his career at the city of Claremore, Mark further served as Community Services Director, before eventually being appointed to City Manager where he navigated many challenges and was forced to make unpopular decisions. Mark’s career was defined by his love of people, unmovable integrity, and passionate commitment to doing what is just, right, and fair. When Mark wasn’t serving in his official capacity, he was volunteering for numerous community boards and organizations. Mark’s career also included serving as General Manager and CEO of Flint Ridge Resort in Kansas, Oklahoma. Mark went on to eventually serve as city manager for the cities of Lexington and Richmond in Missouri before retiring from municipal government to create the economic and comprehensive planning consulting firm Rounds Resources, LLC. Since moving home to Highland, Mark served as a substitute teacher for the Doniphan West Unified School District, trustee of the board for Highland Community College, and member of the Northeast Kansas Community Action Program board of directors.

Mark received many accolades throughout his career and was most proud of receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the Oklahoma Recreation and Parks Society of which he was past president, as well as the Drum Major for Justice Award inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr. awarded by Highland Community College to recipients whose lives exemplify service, compassion, and the pursuit of justice. According to Mark, however, his greatest time spent was working with youth at the Tulsa Housing Authority as Activity Director in the 1980s and most recently as a substitute teacher.

Mark’s faith was his cornerstone and a pivotal part of his life and cancer journey. While living in Oklahoma, he was an active member of the Boston Avenue United Methodist Church in Tulsa where he served as an usher. Mark was later a member of Woods Chapel United Methodist Church in Lee’s Summit, MO and sang in the gospel and traditional choirs. After returning home, Mark attended the Highland United Methodist Presbyterian Church.

Cheering lifelong for the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas Jayhawks, Mark was an avid sports fan and often described watching his sons play sports as a highlight of his life. Mark was also an animal lover, enjoyed fishing, spending time at the beach, running long distance, and taking trips with Anita in their motorhome. Mark enjoyed listening and singing to all genres of music, attending concerts, and loved dancing with his beloved wife. Mark demonstrated a deep and abiding love for his family. He was overjoyed by the arrivals of his grandchildren and was an adoring grandpa.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and lifelong dedicated public servant, Mark is survived by his wife Anita, sons Andrew and Alex, daughters-in-law Brianna and Allison, young grandchildren Hampton, Avril, and Sheppard, and his beloved adopted dogs Gracie and Wilson. Mark was preceded in death by his parents and father and mother in-law Bill and Rosaleen French. As was his wish, Mark’s body has been bequeathed to the University of Kansas Medical Center Willed Body Program to support medical student education, surgical training, and clinical research.

A celebration of Mark’s life will be held at the Highland United Methodist Presbyterian Church on Nov. 7, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made on Mark’s behalf to the Doniphan County Pet Rescue or the Exon 20 Group. The Exon 20 Group is a specialized international nonprofit initiative under the International Cancer Advocacy Network that focuses specifically on EGFR and HER2 exon 20 insertion mutations in non-small cell lung cancer. Mark’s family is also establishing a memorial scholarship to be awarded to graduates of Doniphan West High School. Information related to the scholarship and how to contribute to the memorial fund will be available at a future date.