Obituaries

Jerry “Max” Marks, 81, of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, passed away peacefully in his home on August 28, 2022, in the presence of his beloved wife of 61 years, Melba Garrett Marks. He is survived by his four children, Kent (Cheryl), Steve, John (Kim), and Julie Shinn (Bobby).

Max was born to James T. Marks and Ormeda (Moore) Marks, on January 21, 1941, in Phillipi, WV, and spent his childhood in Gilmer County. Upon graduating from Glenville State University, he married his high school sweetheart, Melba, and moved to Stevensville, MD. Max and Melba grew their family, and eventually relocated to Parkersburg, WV, where Max was a contractor. In 1987, they followed their dream of moving to the sunshine state of Florida and spent the remainder of their lives in Palm Beach Gardens. Max loved the sunshine and warmth of Florida and he could often be found fishing in off-the-beaten path canals.

Max’s biggest accomplishments were his relationship with Melba and his dedication as an active parent to his four children. From volunteering as a wrestling coach, to attempting difficult science fair projects, to watching countless school plays and modeling competitions, Max did it. Max was the straight man to Melba’s comical antics, and he knew how to play along to get a good laugh. Max loved jokes, and his family often found his delivery of the jokes funnier than the joke itself. Max’s sayings could fill a book, and upon his passing, we were heartened to reflect on some of his most memorable ones: ‘I’m fitter than a fiddle and finer than a frog’s hair split four ways’, ‘you look good enough to make a dog break its chain’ and ‘that’ll put some hair on your chest!’

Max enjoyed his life and did not waste time worrying about too much. If someone didn’t like him, he didn’t sweat it (unless it was Melba). He loved nature, crossword puzzles, and Andy Griffith. He liked old hymns and Johnny Cash, taking long drives with Melba, and his dog, Daisy. He adored entertaining his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and tried to share his love of fishing with anyone who wanted to join him. He was simple, genuine, and had a fantastic sense of humor. Life was meant to be enjoyed, not fretted about.

Many years ago, at a school carnival in West Virginia, a little 13-year-old girl asked a 15-year-old boy if he would cake walk with her friend. The boy looked at her and replied, “no, but I’ll cake walk with you!” and that was the beginning of a beautiful love story.

While Max is gone, his memory will live on in the many lives he touched. He was preceded in death by his brothers Jack (Lenore) and Jimmy (Sylvia), and his sister Betty Anderson (Paul), and is survived by his brother, Gene (Eula) of Ohio, grandchildren Joshua, Jessica Huffman, Casey, Brandon, Meghan, Ryan Shinn, Ian, Dylan Shinn, and Bella, 10 great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A celebration of life will take place on Sunday, September 4, 2022, at 1 PM, at Ellyson Mortuary, Inc., 2 Vanhorn Drive, in Glenville, WV.