Ed Marks, 76
Ed Marks, 76, passed away Saturday, June 16, 2007, at the family home on Flathead Lake. He died of natural causes after a valiant struggle with serious chronic diseases. Ed was born Oct. 1, 1930, in Teigen, to Roy Marks and Nettie (Irvin) Marks. His family moved to rural Whitefish when he was 6 years old where he attended Whitefish and Kalispell schools.
After finishing school, Ed worked in various sawmill jobs before enlisting, in the U.S. Army in 1953. Ed's service in the Army included time in Japan after the Korean War. After his time in the service, Ed built a single truck lumber operation into a successful business, Ed Marks Trucking, Inc. He was also a distributor for Utah salt companies and supplied road salt to Montana Department of Transportation and Flathead County for several years.
He was on the board of directors of the Montana Motor Carriers Association for several years and also served as secretary/treasurer of the Hoo-Hoo Club. He was very active in the Boy Scouts of America as a den leader, troop chairman, was a western district chairman for the state of Montana, and was awarded the Silver Beaver award for his service. He was instrumental in the development of the Grizzly Base Camp at McGillivray Lake, obtaining the donations of materials and labor for its construction. All of these achievements bear witness to the fact that Ed was a hard and energetic worker all of his life.
Ed enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and snowmobiling with family and friends. Throughout the years, he enjoyed and supported his children and grandchildren's games and activities In the 1980's he discovered sailing and spent many enjoyable hours racing in his J24, the 'Ghost.' When his health was good, he was never happier than when he had more than one project going on to help his children or friends. All of his friends, family and neighbors knew they could come to him for help, advice and tools. He was also an avid reader in his spare time, especially Louis L'Amour westerns.
Ed was married to Lois Petersen in Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Nov. 15, 1959. They were blessed with three children, Julie, Roger and Russell. They lived near Whitefish until 1965, when he built a new shop and home on U.S. 2 West of Kalispell. In 1988 they moved permanently to Flathead Lake. Retiring in 1998, Ed and Lois traveled throughout the lower 48 states and Alaska in their motor home and spent their last six winters at Lake Havasu on the Nevada-California border with their faithful companion, Tucker, the miniature Schnauzer. Ed was a loving and generous husband, father and grandfather, who will be greatly missed by family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Roy and Nettie Marks; his sisters, Marion Benson and Mable McFadden; and his in-laws; Ray and Martha Petersen, who were very dear to him.
He is survived by his wife, Lois, of 47 years; daughter, Julie and husband, Tim Wood, of Allen, Texas; sons, Roger and wife, Jodi Marks, of Spokane Valley, and Russell and wife, Rhonda Marks, of Kalispell; grandchildren, Andrew Wood of Allen, Zachary, Sydney, Zoey and Maddie Marks of Spokane Valley, and Tiffany and Tanner Marks of Kalispell;; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. His passing is also grieved by his faithful companion, Tucker 'The Wonder Dog'.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date. The family suggests memorials or donations be made in Ed's name to the Lakeside/Somers Quick Response Unit,125 Bills Rd, Lakeside, MT. 59922, telephone 844-2275.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Ed's family. You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Ed's guest book.