Ed Marks

Ed Marks, 76, passed away June 16, 2007, at the family home on Flathead Lake. He died of natural causes after a valiant struggle with serious chronic diseases.

Ed was born Oct. 1, 1930, in Teigen to Roy Marks and Nettie (Irvin) Marks. His family moved to rural Whitefish when he was six years old, where he attended Whitefish and Kalispell schools.

After finishing school, Ed worked in various sawmill jobs before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1953. His service in the Army included time in Japan after the Korean War. After his time in the service, Ed built a single truck lumber operation into a successful business, Ed Marks Trucking, Inc. He was also a distributor for Utah salt companies and supplied road salt to Montana Department of Transportation and Flathead County for several years.

He was on the board of directors of the Montana Motor Carriers Association and served as secretary/treasurer of the Hoo-Hoo Club. He was very active in the Boy Scouts of America as a den leader and troop chairman. He was a Western District chairman for the state of Montana and was awarded the Silver Beaver award for his service. He was instrumental in the development of the Grizzly Base Camp at McGillivray Lake, obtaining the donations of materials and labor for its construction.

Ed enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and snowmobiling with family and friends. Throughout the years, he enjoyed and supported his children and grandchildren's games and activities In the 1980s, he discovered sailing and spent many enjoyable hours racing in his J24, the "Ghost."

When his health was good, he was never happier than when he had more than one project going on to help his children or friends. All of his friends, family and neighbors knew they could come to him for help, advice and tools. He was also an avid reader in his spare time, especially Louis L'Amour westerns.

Ed married Lois Petersen on Nov. 15, 1959. They were blessed with three children, Julie, Roger and Russell. They lived near Whitefish until 1965, when he built a new shop and home on U.S. Highway 2 west of Kalispell. In 1988, they moved permanently to Flathead Lake.

Retiring in 1998, Ed and Lois traveled throughout the Lower 48 and Alaska in their motor home and spent their last six winters at Lake Havasu on the Nevada-California border with their faithful companion, Tucker, the miniature Schnauzer. Ed was a loving and generous husband, father and grandfather, who will be greatly missed by family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Roy and Nettie Marks; sisters Marion Benson and Mable McFadden; and in-laws Ray and Martha Petersen, who were very dear to him.

He is survived by his wife, of 47 years, Lois; daughter Julie Wood and husband Tim, of Allen, Texas; sons Roger Marks and wife Jodi, of Spokane Valley, and Russell Marks and wife Rhonda, of Kalispell; grandchildren Andrew Wood, of Allen, Zachary, Sydney, Zoey and Maddie Marks, of Spokane Valley, and Tiffany and Tanner Marks, of Kalispell; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. His passing is also grieved by his faithful companion, Tucker "The Wonder Dog".

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. The family suggests memorials or donations be made in Ed's name to the Lakeside/Somers Quick Response Unit, 125 Bills Road, Lakeside MT 59922.