Tommy Joe Marks

November 19, 2015

Tommy Joe Marks

Service Details

Tommy Joe Marks, 69, passed away Thursday, November 19, 2015 at Kavanagh House Hospice after a valiant battle with cancer. Services will be held Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines with visitation to follow.

Tom was born November 14, 1946 in Lewis County Missouri to Herbert and Bernice Marks. He was the second of five children raised in the Des Moines area.

In 1969 Tom married the love of his life, Linda and they had two children. Tom and Linda built their life together and raised their family on the Southside of Des Moines. Over the years he worked as an Industrial Mechanic and owned his own businesses. Most notably Ilene’s Ice Cream Shop and Laundry Mat located at Park Avenue and SE 22nd. His passions included travel and soccer, but most of all – his family and friends.

In 1999 Tom and Linda moved to Little Rock, AR where they spent fourteen years building friendships and loving memories. They then retired and split their time between Des Moines and Bradeton, FL where Tom could spend six months a year on the beach.

Tom never met a stranger. He was open, honest, and won people over with his straight forward and genuine spirit. He was one of the best story tellers you could ever meet. He loved life and lived it to the fullest.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Marks; his children, Christopher (Jacquelyn) Marks of Des Moines, Suzanne (Todd) Lawler of Kerby, OR; 7 grandchildren, Jacob Neatherly, Sam Rowe, Alexandra Garrett, Kaylee Grote, Christian Garrett, Gracie Marks, and Hayden Marks; and his sisters, Jeanette Ruckle of Little rock, AR, Vickie Tingwald of Chesapeake, VA, and Penny Phelps of Davis City, IA. Tommy was preceded in death by his parents; older brother, Gerald Marks; and nephew, Jerry Phelps.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Haiti Orphanage or the Tingwald Project. Checks can be made to ICM, 1901 Armistead Ave, Hampton, VA 23666 (#13HT14153CMA in the memo line). Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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