John Marx

John Norbert Marx 1937-2012 LUBBOCK- John N. Marx, 75, passed away on Thursday, December 13th, 2012. Memorial services will be held Monday, December 17 at 2 p.m. at Christ the King Cathedral. Celebrant will be Rev. William Anton. Dr. Marx was born on October 31st, 1937, in Columbus, Ohio to John and Cecelia (Noziska) Marx. He was the oldest of seven children: Cecelia Rose, Mary Teresa, Margaret Ann, Helen Lucille (deceased), Susan Elaine, and Nicholaus Charles. He graduated from Waterbury High School in Nebraska, and attended Wayne State Teacher's College. He graduated from St. Benedict's College, in Atchison, Kansas earning a bachelor's degree with high honors in Chemistry in 1962. He received a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Kansas, in 1965. He did post-doctoral work at Cambridge University in England, and Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Marx had a long and distinguished career at Texas Tech University, beginning in 1967. He was the advisor for a number of doctoral and masters' degree students. He retired in 2004 as an Associate Professor Emeritus. An avid Scouter, Dr. Marx was a long-time Assistant Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 157, and a Vigil Honor Member of the Order of the Arrow. He was a Silver Beaver award recipient. He was a member of the American Chemical Society for fifty years, serving in various leadership roles in the South Plains local section. Dr. Marx was an avid fan of science fiction books. Above all, Dr. Marx was a teacher. He began his career in a one-room school house in rural Nebraska, and tutored Chemistry students well into his retirement. He loved to teach astronomy and orienteering merit badges, and the chemistry merit badge including at the 2001 National Boy Scout Jamboree. John's love for science began with his father's reading Scientific American. He grew tomatoes to earn money for his first telescope. He was introduced to young adult science fiction, the Winston books, when he was in high school. It expanded to include a personal collection of over 80,000 volumes. He had maintained a web site for selling his books. He loved sharing his love of science fiction with many contacts over the world. Dr. Marx married the love of his life, Patricia Colleen (Loyd) Marx, on December 21, 1974 at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church. He was an active member of Christ the King Cathedral serving as a lector and Eucharistic minister for many years. He is survived by his wife, Pat; a daughter, Ruthie Marx and Matt Tyler, of Portland, Ore.; a son, Sam, and his wife Salima Alikahn of Austin; siblings, Rosie, Mary, Margaret, Susie and husband Dan, and Nick and wife Mary; 21 nieces and nephews; and many great and great-grand nieces and nephews. John will be cremated. The family would prefer donations be made to a favorite charity. John loved the Boy Scouts, the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, the local Public Radio station and the Friends of the Public Library. Online codolences may be offered at www.resthavenfuneralhome.com.