Donald Charles Marks Sr.

Donald Charles Marks Sr., loving husband, father, & grandfather, died early Saturday evening after a courageous battle with renal cancer. He passed surrounded by loved ones and the angels at Hospice House Woodside. Don was a native of Southern California, and earned his bachelor's degree in business from UCLA. He began his career at Bank of America, and was successful at many corporations including McDonalds and Taco Bell. He served as President and Managing Director for Thorn/EMI of London, England. In his 10 years with Thorn, he also managed operations in the company's 600 Rent-A-Center stores throughout the Midwestern United States. In 1998, Don assumed the role of President and CEO of the W.S. Badcock Corporation. During his first 8 years, the corporation increased its revenue and profits by significantly. More importantly, he and his family made life-long friends with the wonderful people they met through the company. His family agrees with the Board of Directors and Badcock family that one of Don's "greatest achievements by far was the transformation and revitalization of the W.S. Badcock Corporation." In 2008, the Florida Furniture Representatives Association honored Don as the Florida Retailer of the Year. He was also awarded National Furniture Retailer of the Year in 2009. He served for several years as Vice President for the American Furniture Hall of Fame, as well as on board of the City of Hope, a cancer research organization. He was honored as one of the 2005 recipients for the City of Hope "Spirit of Life Award." Throughout his life, Don showed a steadfast commitment to philanthropic causes such as the Ronald McDonald House, United Way, Habitat for Humanity, and the American Cancer Society. Don's passion for classic cars and drag racing stayed with him his entire life. He drove everything from Sportsman to Top Jr. Fuel cars, finishing his career with an alcohol blown Top Dragster. He was a hired driver for some of the biggest names in the sport. Some of his titles include Champion of the Florida Corvette Challenge in 2004, Top Dragster Champion of the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals in 2007, and runner-up in 2008. Don is survived by his devoted wife Teena of 26 years and mother-in-law Lorene Ray, as well as his children, Tiffany LaMontagne of Bogart, Georgia, Lindsay Videnieks of Washington D.C., Wayne Lawrence of Los Angeles, Donald Marks Jr. of Orlando, and Jamie Marks of Gainesville, and 5 grandchildren, Connor, Cameron, Hannah, Lily, and Gabrielle of Bogart, Georgia. The Memorial Celebration will be on October, 9th at 11 A.M. at Christ United Methodist Church, 467 1st Ave. N, St. Petersburg. In lieu of flowers, Don's family ask that donations be made in Don's name to either Suncoast Hospice (www.thehospice.org), or the City of Hope in Los Angeles (www.cityofhope.org).