Thomas William Marks

Thomas William Marks was born December 1, 1939, at Ottawa, in Franklin County, Kansas. He was the son of William J. and Hazel Winnie (Dawson) Marks. He grew up in the rural Ottawa area. From 1968 to 1972, he lived in San Bernardino, California. In 1975, he moved to the Denver, Colorado area, returning to Ottawa in 1999, where he made his home, until his death Thursday, October 14, 2004, at the age of sixty-four years. Thomas graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1957 and attended Kansas University. He was first employed by Mode-O-Day of Ottawa, starting out as a cutter in 1957 and later as an assistant plant manager. In 1968, he transferred to Mode-O-Day at San Bernardino, California, as a plant manager until 1972. In the early and mid 1980's, he owned and operated High Country Designs, a specialty advertising manufacturing company in Denver, Colorado. In 1992, he was employed by Sprint North Supply, Denver, Colorado, as an inventory control person, transferring in 1995 to the Sprint Campus at New Century, near Gardner, Kansas, working there until 1997. Thomas then took a position as warranty claims manager with the Hotsy Corporation, Denver, Colorado, retiring in 1999. He was a member of Lions Club in different locations, including Ottawa. Thomas was an outdoorsman, who enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping. He enjoyed collecting old cars and playing on a pool shooting league. He was quite interested in politics and liked to discuss the daily events with his friends. Most important to Thomas were his family and grandchildren, who affectionately named him 'Boppie'. In September of 1958, Thomas was united in marriage with Connie Rae Reed at Ottawa. They were later divorced. On January 30, 1971, Thomas was united in marriage with Linda Bridge at Los Alamitos, California. She survives of their home. He is also survived by his son, Michael Thomas Marks and his wife, Amy, of Lenexa, KS; two daughters, Shelley Rene' Marks of Bangkok, Thailand, Shelley Elizabeth Henry and her husband, Mike, of Parker, CO; sister, Hazel W. Gillette and her husband, James, of Paola, KS; seven grandchildren, Alexandra Henry, Caitlyn Henry, Garrett Henry, Ashleigh Henry, Zoe Pulford, Samantha Marks, Dawson Marks; aunt, Betty (Marks) Sumner and her husband, Pete, of Garnett, KS; and, several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and infant son, Scott Raymond Marks. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 20, 2004. OFFICIATING CLERGY: Rev. Bob Miller. IN STATE: Friends may pay their respects to Mr. Marks at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 5:00 p.m. Monday to the service hour, where the family will meet with friends 7 to 8:00 Tuesday evening. CEMETERY: A private inurnment will be held at a later date. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Friends of Historic Buildings, O.H.S. Restoration, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.