Mark A. Kilgore

Mark Allan Kilgore, 64, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on March 20,1959 and passed
away unexpectedly on April 11, 2023 at his home in Carol Stream, Illinois.
He is survived by his Father Franklin M. Kilgore; brother Doug (wife Tammy) of North
Aurora; sister Margaret Gargrave (husband Tom) of Oswego; nephews Mike Gargrave
(fiancée Jessica Heredia), Sam Kilgore (wife Kailey), Josh Kilgore, and Jack Kilgore; nieces
Hannah Gargrave (fiancé Aaron Thorpe) and Katie Gargrave; and great-nephew Miles
Kilgore. Mark also has extended family and many lifelong friends. He was preceded in death
by his mother Elizabeth Kilgore of DeKalb, Illinois.
Mark grew up in Sleepy Hollow, Illinois. In high school he played the saxophone before
switching to the bagpipes and was a member of the ground breaking Dundee Scots High
School Marching Band. He participated in many memorable band trips including The Macy’s
Parade in New York City and Jimmy Carter's Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington
DC. Mark had an engineer's mind, giving him the capacity to understand electronics,
combustion engines, aeronautics, and to design and build things. In the early 1980’s Mark
made his own home computer, igniting his passion for the tech world. He attended Elgin
Community College where he earned a degree in Computer Science. After several
computer hardware/programming positions, he found his career stride working for Sun
Microsystems, traveling all over the country setting up large corporate networks as well as
installing critical federal government software systems.
Mark also had a passion for aviation. He earned his private pilot’s license at the age of 19
and was an avid member of the Fox Flying Club based at DuPage Airport. His enthusiasm
for flight inspired him to design, build and fly many complex RC model airplanes and
helicopters.
Mark enjoyed listening to Jimmy Buffet music, wearing Hawaiian shirts, and cultivating
indoor and outdoor plants. He was an accomplished musician, fisherman, camper,
snowmobiler, grill master and often spent his vacations at the family cabin in northern
Wisconsin. He especially loved his five cockatiels, following the science of space
exploration, gardening, and playing the bagpipes.
Over the years Mark's enthusiasm for playing the bagpipes grew. He was a longtime
member of the Dundee Scottish Bagpipe Corps and played in many competitions
throughout the Midwest. Many evenings Mark could be heard in his neighborhood and at
the lake house in Wisconsin playing Amazing Grace on his pipes at sunset. Mark was
friendly and easy going and a true patriot who loved his country. He held the constitution
and those who served to defend it in the highest esteem.
A celebration of Mark's life will take place later this year, time and place to be determined.
Private family services will be held late summer at two of his favorite places in the world in
Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Mark's absence will be felt by all who loved him.
Any donations may be directed to the American Heart Association or the Humane Society.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mark A. Kilgore, please visit our floral store.