Jay Marks

1923 - 2024

Jay Marks
11/26/1923 - 05/07/2024
Jay Marks, the kindest and most generous man to ever walk the earth, passed away peacefully in his sleep on the 7th of May 2024, at the age of 100-and-a-half. More than just a successful businessman, Jay always had a kind word and helping hand for all, without exception.
Jay served many roles throughout his life - husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, businessman, philanthropist - with absolute commitment, compassion, strength and dependability. As husband, he and his wife Shirley Glosserman spent 68 years together, from meeting at a blind date in university until Shirley's passing in 2019. Jay and Shirley adored each other, their two children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and were adored by their family in turn.
Jay Marks was born in Louisville, Kentucky, where he attended Louisville Male High School and studied chemistry at Indiana University. His entry into the world of business, that would become his life's work, was as a "runner" at Snyder's Department Store in Louisville. With the money he saved he was able to purchase a small block of apartments, the start of a lifetime of entrepreneurship.
Following service to his country as a bombardier in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII, Jay was hired as the first Jewish salesperson at Cooke Chevrolet in Louisville. After ascending the management ladder at Cooke, Jay and his young family moved from Louisville to La Porte, Texas, where Jay purchased a Chevrolet dealership using a loan from his father-in-law (who charged him the "family" rate). Jay was able to expand his business from Jay Marks Chevrolet in La Porte to a series of dealerships and franchises throughout Texas, including Chevrolet, Mazda, Hyundai, Toyota, Volkswagen, BMW, Suzuki, Ferrari, GMC, Jeep, Pontiac, and yes, even Yugo (they can't all be winners…). In addition to the success of his own businesses, Jay supported the industry serving as president of the Houston Automobile Dealer's Association, president of the Texas Automobile Dealer's Association, and was awarded the Time Magazine National Quality Dealer Award. He even co-founded Bayshore National Bank in La Porte and Mountain Bank in Denver. All of this was a testament to his business acumen, his team of trusted management, and the mutual respect he shared with his employees.
He was particularly proud of founding Glesby-Marks Leasing with two of his closest friends, Morris Glesby and Gerald Rauch. It remains a successful business to this day, still owned and run by the families of the original founders.
Inspired by his Jewish faith, Jay strove to make the world a better place. He was deeply committed to his many charitable endeavors, in particular Jewish Family Services and the Jewish Community Center's Children's Scholarship Ball. He co-founded "Earning by Learning," which paid students to read books, write book reports, and was eventually rolled out to schools around the country. He served as president of the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Crohns and Colitis Foundation and on the executive board of the Huffington Center for Aging. As a supporter of the visual arts, Jay ensured the greater Houston community could access the art that meant so much to him by underwriting free admission to Houston's Contemporary Arts Museum for ten years. He was perhaps most active in his support of classical music and paving the way for upcoming young musicians. He served on the executive committees of Miller Outdoor Theatre, the Houston Symphony and the Boston Symphony, and the boards of the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University and Moore's School of Music at University of Houston. He and Shirley were fixtures at Tanglewood Music Center (where Jay served on the Overseer's Committee) in Lenox, Massachusetts, enjoying many summers of concerts, workshops and educational programs.
But above all, Jay's greatest success is his family. He is survived by his son Lester Marks and wife Penelope Gonzales de Marks and grandchildren Matthew Greenwood, Joshua Marks, Asher Marks and Alana Valentina Marks, and by his daughter Fran Lowe and husband Jerry Lowe, granddaughter Robin Clarkson and great-grandson Jack Clarkson, grandson Alan Lowe and wife Aleksandra Gryczon and great-grandson Arthur Lowe. His memory will be a blessing for each of them. Jay has also asked us to thank his long time administrative assistant, Dey Johnson, and his caregivers, Ruth Walker, Joyce Chaney, Ross Smith Jr., Jeannie Touffant, Annie Prudhom, and Vivian Adams.
A memorial service is to be conducted at half-past twelve o'clock noon on Friday, the 10th of May 2024, in the Gordon Chapel of Congregation Beth Israel, 5600 North Braeswood Boulevard in Houston where Senior Rabbi David A. Lyon is to officiate. (Kindly note: Those unable to attend the funeral service in-person, virtual attendance may be accessed be visiting Mr. Marks online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com and selecting the "Join Livestream" icon in the "Service" section.)
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception at a venue to be announced during the service.
Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Congregation Beth Israel Memorial Garden in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to the Joan and Stanford Alexander Jewish Family Service Houston, 4131 South Braeswood Blvd., Houston, TX, 77025; or the charity of one's choice.
Please view Mr. Marks online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where memories and words of comfort and condolences may be shared electronically with his family.