Christopher Matthew “Chris” Stork, of Atchison, Kansas, died unexpectedly on Thursday, October 6, 2022.

Mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, October 13, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Fr. Meinrad Miller, OSB will serve as celebrant. A luncheon will follow in the church basement. Private interment of cremated remains will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. A parish rosary will be recited on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. with visitation to follow until 7:00 p.m. at the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Maur Hill-Mount Academy and may be left in care of the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home with whom cremation care has been entrusted.

Chris was born in Atchison, Kansas, on August 10, 1977, the son of Edward J. and Colleen (Conrad) Stork. A gifted athlete, he graduated from Maur Hill Prep School in 1995 and attended Benedictine College to further his athletic career in basketball.  He also attended Kansas State University much to his Uncle Mike’s chagrin - Go Wildcats! 

Chris was a skilled cook and well-known barbeque pit master.  Ever-dedicated to whatever he was doing, he worked at Tanner’s Bar & Grill for over 15 years and participated in (and won) multiple barbeque competitions.  He was currently self-employed as owner and operator of Stork Lawncare where he earned the reputation of being a tireless worker, generous and kind to every customer, each of whom would quickly become a friend.

Chris never met a stranger.  If he shook your hand once, you had a friend for life.  Chris spent his life in service to others and was motivated purely by the joy he brought to every room he entered.  He had space for everyone in his great big heart, especially the disadvantaged.  In the last decade, he became his mother’s primary caretaker and was more devoted to her than anyone else.  He loved sports of every kind but was passionate about Michael Jordan, the Wildcats, Chiefs and Royals.  He was known in Atchison for firing up one of his many barbeque pits and feeding whomever smelled the smoke and stopped by for that day’s special.  He also loved to fish – freshwater and saltwater alike.  Above all, he relished in the time he spent with his nieces and nephew, teaching and coaching them on how to stay humble, always adding “when you’re not practicing, someone else is getting better.”   

He is survived by his mother, Colleen Stork; his sister, Maureen Stork-Beckett; his brother, Edward J. Stork IV; his nieces, Natalie Stork and Emery Beckett and nephew, Mackey Beckett.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Stork and four uncles, Jack Stork, Tim Conrad, Mike Conrad, and Denny Maloney.