On Saturday, December 6th Joplin lost a local treasure in the person of Dr. Mark S. Matlock M.D. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife and children from complications following heart surgery.
Mark was the second of three sons born October 27, 1956 to A.D. and Shirlee Matlock of Coffeyville, KS. He was raised in Neosho, Mo. and Pittsburg, KS. In his early years he was an outstanding scholar and athlete, receiving recognition as “fastest boy in grade school”, Pass, Punt, and Kick champion, and Little League All Star. At age 13 he was struck with his first heart attack and not expected to survive. After a lengthy recovery he was told he wasn’t allowed physical exertion beyond walking. Realizing an athletic career wasn’t in his future, he decided to be a doctor, and help people as his small town doctor helped him. His remaining school years were filled with excellence in scholarship, church, and civic activities.
He graduated Pittsburg High School in 1974, Oklahoma State University in 1978 with a 4.0 GPA, and achieved among many honors, the “Coburn Award and Scholarship” for outstanding Microbiology student. He was accepted into Tulane University, Washington University, St. Louis, and Oklahoma University Medical Schools, and chose Oklahoma University to be closer to family. Mark graduated Medical School in 1982 with Alpha Omega Alpha honors and the Merck Manual award for excellence in Medicine. He completed an internship in Internal Medicine, and residency in Dermatology, serving his final years as Chief Resident, all completed at Oklahoma University Medical School. He began his Medical Practice with the Hutchinson Clinic in Hutchinson, KS before returning in 1993 to his beloved Missouri where he devoted the past 22 years to serving his much loved patients. He never allowed medical restrictions to prevent him from having fun and living life on his own terms. His greatest joys were in his family, helping others, and being outdoors.
Mark married Jeanne Julian September 24, 1983 in Oklahoma City, OK and she survives. Additional survivors include two daughters, Lindsey Teel and husband Kevin, Joplin, and Shannon Matlock and husband Patrick Erman, Joplin, two sons, Thomas Kirtley Matlock and wife Terri, Joplin, and Stephen Michael Matlock, Oklahoma City, OK, his parents, A.D.and Shirlee Matlock, Tulsa, OK, loving brother Daniel Matlock and wife Shirle, Bixby, OK, brother James Matlock, Vinita, OK, and four grandchildren; Harmony, McKensey, Evan, and T.J.
Memorial Services will be at 4:00 p.m. Thursday at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church with Rev. Aaron Brown and Ed Hahn, Ministers, officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to the Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audobon Center of Joplin in care of the Mortuary. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mason-Woodard Mortuary of Joplin, Mo.
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