FREDERICK MARKS

July 8, 1933 - October 19, 2012 OKLAHOMA CITY Frederick R. Marks was born on July 8, 1933, in Greenwood, South Carolina, and passed away on Oct. 19, 2012, in Oklahoma City. A Korean War veteran, Fred proudly served in the U.S. Navy 1953-1957 as a Fire Control Technician II aboard the U.S.S. The Sullivans with his brother Cecil, a shared experience he treasured, and the U.S.S. Hanson. After his Navy service, Fred found his true passion in aviation, working for the Federal Aviation Administration for over 35 years. During his time with FAA, Fred served in a variety of technical and management positions in Atlanta, GA; Orlando, FL; FAA Washington Headquarters; Frankfurt, Germany; and Brussels, Belgium, before being assigned to the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in OKC in 1967. He loved his work and the many lifelong friends it generated. Fred was an avid outdoorsman and gourmet cook. In his free time, you were most likely to find him doing something that involved a pole, gun, boat, bottle or grill. His favorite place on earth was a little slice of Heaven called Beavers Bend. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He met his wife, best friend and fellow adventurer, Kathleen O'Meara Marks, in 1981 while she was working for the OKC Chamber of Commerce and he was International Liaison Officer and director of student services at the FAA Academy. They celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with family and friends in March 2012. Fred was a proud and loving father of four daughters: Theresa Allen, OKC; Barbara Jones, husband Keith, OKC; Karen Willis, husband Tyler, Springdale, AR; and Whitney Price, husband Jerrod, McKinney, TX; and grandchildren, Chelsea Sims (Wes), Katie Allen and Owen Price. He is also survived by family in Florida: brothers, Cecil Marks (Norma), and Bill Marks (June); Elizabeth Velez (Jose), Tegan Perotta and Draco Velez; brothers- and sisters-in-law: Clarence and Pat Schmidt, Caldwell, KS; Maggie Miller, Edmond; Rita and Dale Mullins, OKC; Dr. Michelle O'Meara, Tulsa; Gordon Bender, and Fred and Kay Bender, Wisconsin; German "son," Uwe Arnold (Bettina) and family, Oberursel; best buddy, Jeff Hall and wife Chris, OKC; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved first wife of 25 years, Dolores Bender Marks, mother of daughters Theresa, Barbara and Karen; his parents, Theresa Strickland, Walter Marks; and sister, Theresa Massey. Many thanks and appreciation to his incredible team of doctors and nurses, including Dr. Mark Bodenhamer and the critical care nurses at the OK Heart Hospital. It can be said of Fred, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7. Viewing will be at Smith & Kernke N. May on Monday, October 22nd 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., followed by an Evening Prayer Service at 7 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held at Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church, 7336 West Britton Road, Tuesday, October 23rd at 11 a.m. Graveside services, with military honors, immediately following at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans.