Mark Edward Rachels' Obituary
Mark Edward Rachels, 75, of Waxahachie, Texas was called by God to his eternal home on April 27, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. He was born on November 29, 1950 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Florence Louise (Greenwood) Rachels-Fringer and Cecil Edward Rachels.
Mark graduated from Carl Albert High School in Midwest City, Oklahoma, and attended the University of Central Oklahoma where he received a bachelor’s degree in Computer and Military Science, and an MBA in Information Technology.
He was also a fierce patriot, serving as a member of the Army ROTC and Reserves, proudly honoring the sacrifices which make our country great, including those of his father, a World War II veteran.
Mark worked as a computer programmer in the banking, real estate and insurance industries. He worked at numerous companies including CoreLogic, ACS Technology and First American. In 2023, he retired from Torchmark/ American Income Life (Globe Life) after more than a decade of service. During his career he was proud to have been an innovator, developing the first ATM software in the 1980s for the banking industry and was an industry expert on IBM mainframe systems. He was heavily involved with Toastmasters International, serving as an Area Governor for District 25 and President of the Logically Speaking Toastmasters at CoreLogic.
Mark was an avid antique collector and liked restoring antique automobiles. He had a deep appreciation for history and participated in Civil War reenactments with his late wife, Cheryl. He also enjoyed genealogy and traced his ancestors back to the early pilgrims on the Mayflower. Mark loved animals and is survived by his beloved service dog, a basset hound named Cooper, along with many cats and fish.
Mark is preceded in death by his wife Cheryl Ann Bogardus Rachels, Mother Florence Louise (Greenwood) Rachels Fringer, Father Cecil Edward Rachels, grandparents Alexander “Buster” Benjamin Greenwood, Bernyce “Memaw” Margaret (Suber) Greenwood, Edward Roy Rachels, and Alice Lilian (Houser) Rachels.
Survivors include Linda Rachels and daughters Victoria Rachels of Flower Mound, TX and Angela Rachels Adams of Maumelle, AR; step-daughters Amy Donnelly of Mabank, Texas and Kari Kline of Muskego, Wisconsin; Sister Kathleen (Rachels) Weatherby and husband John Michael of Jones, Oklahoma; nieces Heather (Weatherby) Mallory and husband, Aaron, of Choctaw, Oklahoma and Jessica Weatherby of Stillwater, Oklahoma; along with many aunts, uncles and cousins. He is also survived by dear friends Millie Nunnalee and Vanessa Voldan. The family would like to thank Vanessa for her kind, compassionate care and friendship, as well as the healthcare providers who took amazing care of him towards the end of his life. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
What’s your fondest memory of Mark?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mark?
Share a story where Mark's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mark you’ll never forget.
How did Mark make you smile?