Mark Joseph Pelts

Mark Joseph Pelts, 70, of Kennett, Missouri and Orange Beach, Alabama died on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at his home in Kennett. He was born June 27, 1955, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, the first of three children to Joe Don and Patsy Ann Pelts. He and Carol Prance were married September 22, 1979.

Mark grew up in Caruth and Kennett, surrounded by his extended family. His love and respect for cotton farming began when he was a small child, and he soaked up everything about farming from his dad and his beloved grandfather, Lee Pelts. "Paw Paw" doted on Mark, even giving him his own acre of land to "farm" as a child, which Mark did with glee. 

Mark attended Kennett Public Schools and played baseball from a young age. His love of arguing found a forum when Kennett High School oAered a debate class his junior year. He and his debate partner competed for the debate team and placed first in the Advanced Division the very first year of competition at a trophy debate in Gideon. His oratorical and debating skills only grew from there.

After graduating high school in 1973, Mark attended Southeast Missouri State University on a baseball scholarship. He formed strong relationships with professors and friends while he was there that lasted throughout his lifetime. He earned his B.A. in History, graduating in 1976, and then attended St. Mary's School of Law in San Antonio, Texas, graduating with his Juris Doctorate in 1979. He was admitted to the Missouri Bar Association and the Dunklin County Bar Association in September of that same year. 

Upon returning to Kennett, Mark joined the law office of Jones and Stillman, and afterwards practiced with Pelts, Stokely & Turnbow. He also served as City Attorney for Kennett from 1983 to 1987, and Prosecuting Attorney for Dunklin County from 1985 to 1986.

In addition to being a member of the Missouri Bar, Mark was also admitted to practice in the federal court system. He was admitted to practice before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1992 and the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. in 1998.

In 1991, Mark was appointed by then Governor John Ashcroft to a special judges commission for recommendations of judicial candidates to the White House. At the same time, Governor Ashcroft appointed him to the Missouri House Redistricting Commission.

That same year, Mark was named to the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents. During his tenure, he worked hard to ensure affordable and accessible education to students in the region. He resigned from the board after serving four years of a six-year term. Afterwards he continued to be a huge supporter of SEMO, receiving an award for the SEMO Foundation Presidents Council and taking a strong interest in the athletics program. Mark was excited for the creation of the Holcomb Success Center and was a supporter of all improvements to help SEMO's student athletes.

Mark was a founding member of Pelts, McMullan, & Edgington in 1995, which later became Pelts, McMullan, Edgington and Morgan. He also formed Pelts Title in November of 1999. In 2019, he moved from full-time practice with the firm to "of counsel.”

 In 1993, Mark began writing a weekly column for the Daily Dunklin Democrat and continued to write eighty-five columns after that, never missing a Sunday. He enjoyed writing about different issues, including politics, hoping to encourage readers to think critically about their own opinions. He always thought politics should be enjoyable and tried to spark intelligent discussion.

 An ardent conservative, Mark believed in smaller government and expected the highest ethical behavior from our representatives. He spent many years actively involved in Republican politics, supporting countless candidates and helping with many fundraisers.

Anyone who knew Mark well knew he and his dad, Joe, were the closest of friends. For many years, Mark and Joe attended the St. Louis Cardinals Spring training in St. Petersburg, Florida. They both loved watching games during the regular season on television with the sound turned down so they could listen to Jack Buck give the play-by-play on the radio. They had a special bond like no other father and son. Mark continued to manage the farm operations after Joe's death in 2011 and handled the operation in a way that would have made Joe proud.

Mark and Joe shared a love of golf and played together constantly. Mark also took many golf trips with cherished friends over the years and loved telling stories about the great times they all had.

In retirement, Mark and Carol lived part-time in Orange Beach, Alabama. Mark made friends quickly at Phoenix Orange Beach, establishing friendships with both residents and employees. He organized potlucks and happy hours at the condo, promoting a sense of belonging and community. He loved drinking coffee in the lobby, telling jokes and stories to friends, and endearing himself to everyone. 

Over the years Mark and Carol fostered many indoor and outdoor cats. The cats who became indoor pets knew they had truly hit the jackpot. They lived like royalty, even traveling back and forth with them to Orange Beach to reign over their second home, the beachfront condo.

Mark loved his family and is survived by his wife, Carol, of 46 years; his brother, Paul G. Pelts, M.D. of New Orleans, Louisiana; his sister, Stephanie and husband, K.C. of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and his niece, Annie Martin, D.D.S. of Jackson, Missouri.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Joe Don and Patsy Ann Pelts; his maternal grandparents, Claude and Pat Finch; his paternal grandparents, Lee and Eunice Norman Pelts; his in-laws, Joe and Lawanda Prance; and various aunts, uncles and cousins.

Mark will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him, and his absence leaves an unfillable hole. He was truly an original and loyal to all he loved.

Anyone wishing to honor Mark's legacy is encouraged to help in the research and fight of childhood cancer by donating to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 

Mark's family appreciates the unbelievable outpouring of love and support, which has been overwhelming since his sudden death. Mark will be honored with a Celebration of Life at a future date to be announced later.

Powell Funeral & Cremation Services, Kennett is in charge of arrangements.