Thomas Bailey Marks Jr.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Thomas Bailey Marks, Jr., age 82, of Birmingham, Alabama, on Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

Born on May 21, 1942, in Mobile, Alabama, Tom was adopted at the age of four by Tom and Mary Neason Marks of Birmingham. He married his high school sweetheart, Joan Miller Marks, and together they built a beautiful life filled with love and laughter.

A proud graduate of John Carroll High School, class of 1960, Tom enlisted in the Navy in August 1961, serving three years of active duty during the Vietnam War. Stationed in Hawaii and Saigon, he took great pride in starting a Boy Scout troop while serving. He was honorably discharged in April 1964 after the death of his father, returning home to care for his mother.

Shortly thereafter, Tom joined the family business, Marks Fitzgerald Furniture, where he became known as a talented salesman and interior decorator, affectionately calling himself “the Catholic Decorator.” After over 50 years in the furniture industry, he embarked on a second career as Maintenance Director at John Carroll Catholic High School, his alma mater. There, he took immense pride in caring for the grounds, buildings, teachers, and students.

A devout Catholic, Tom was a long-time member of St. Patrick Church in Adamsville, Alabama, serving as a eucharistic minister and dedicated gardener. Each week, he brought fresh flowers for the altar and ensured the church grounds remained vibrant and welcoming.

Tom’s life was defined by his strong faith, unwavering work ethic, generosity, and deep love for his family. He is survived by his cherished wife, Joan Miller Marks; four children, Kristi Marks Bradford (Chuck), Keith Marks (Christie), Katie Marks Parker (John), and Kim Marks Hunt (Alan); and 11 grandchildren, Eryn Green Smith (Michael), Miller Parker, Hannah Marks, Cameron Stacks, Bailey Marks, Mollie Parker May (Will), Riley Marks, Thomas Stacks, Mary Grace Hunt, Kaelan Hunt, and Lochlan Hunt. He also leaves behind two bonus grandchildren, Cory Bradford and Courtney Bradford Hicks (Jameson), as well as his half-sister, Jan (Johnson) Canada (Jim) of Michigan.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Mary (Neason) Marks, his sister, Martha Marks Mracek, and his half-brother, Dick Johnson.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Adamsville from 4:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with a rosary prayer service to follow. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, September 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with procession and burial to follow at Elmwood Cemetery.

Tom will be dearly missed, but his legacy of love and kindness will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to John Carroll Catholic High School. 

https://www.jcchs.org/support/endowed-scholarships    

 1. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click DONATE HERE. 

2. Scroll down and check the box by ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS/RESTRICTED GIFTS.

3. Select a donation amount. 

4. In the SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES drop-down box choose TOM MARKS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND.

5. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click NEXT.

6. Enter your contact information, payment details, and finish.