Jay Houston Marx

1970 - 2015

Jay, 45, died in a swimming accident July 19, 2015 in North Carolina. Activist, artist, poet, historian, and peaceful revolutionary, Jay's unwavering commitment to humanism and peace advocacy was an inspiration to anti-war and environmental activists around the world. Jay leavened his passion for causes that mattered to him with an irrepressible warmth, unfailing good humor, a genuine and sweet caring nature, and pure joie de vivre. He deeply affected many people and won an array of devoted friends. A Denver native, Jay graduated from Manual High School in 1988 and Colorado College in 1994 as a Boettcher Scholar. Jay's passion for literature and thirst for knowledge fueled his determination to make a difference. Jay served as Coordinator of the Washington Peace Center in Washington DC (2007-2008), where he led the Peace Center's actions marking the 5th anniversary of the US war in Iraq, and traveled to Japan and Vietnam to raise awareness of the impacts of the chemicals and bombs used by the US in the Vietnam War and World War II. He was committed to the passage of the Nuclear Weapons Abolition and Energy Conversion Act, introduced in Congress in April 2015 for the 12th time. Jay's goal in working with prop1.org was to rid the world of nuclear weapons and shut down the nuclear chain. Jay's infectious energy and irresistible smile will be missed by all. He is survived by his mother, Diane Houston Marx, Denver, CO; father, Jon L. Marx, Phoenix, AZ; sister, Meghan Houston Marx, brother-in-law, J. Alex Lawrence; twin niece and nephew, Annabel and Maxwell Lawrence of Brooklyn, NY; and uncle, Jim Houston, Roggen, CO. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jay's memory may be sent to the Washington Peace Center, 1525 Newton St. NW, Washington, DC 20010. Write "Prop1-Jay H. Marx" in the memo line, or a charity of choice. Services pending.