Retired Lt CDMR Harold “Hal” M Marks

Ret. Lt. CDMR. Harold M. Marks “Hal” died peacefully from pneumonia and stroke at Harris Hosp., on Nov. 6, 2015 in Fort Worth, Tx. at the age of 96.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2:00 PM Saturday, December 5, 2015 at {First United Methodist Church in Glen Rose. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Hal’s’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Shriners Childrens Hospital. Go to: shrinershospitalsforchildren.org Or your local humane society.

Hal was born on June 16, 1919 in Washington, D.C. to Myra and Lindsey Marks. He obtained a degree in mathematics before enlisting in the U.S. Navy, serving 28 years from Aug. 12, 1939 to July 1, 1966. Participated in three wars; WWII, Korea & Vietnam. Hal was a pilot, flew PBY aircraft on combat missions during WWll. Helped retrieve B-29 pilots and/or survivors after strikes on Japanese targets in the Central Pacific area and at Iowa Jima. He retired from Light Attack Squadron 122 Air Group 12. Between wars, Hal was on the Navy shooting team achieving many honors. This led to a keen interest in sharp shooting where he later became a member of S.A.S.S.(Single Action Shooting Society), his alias being Zach Chauncery. He became a gunsmith and member of American Gunsmithing Assoc. while living in Colorado and is in the SASS Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs.

Hal was a witty and fun loving individual who loved raising Longhorns and American Quarter Horses. Until dementia overcame his senses, he was a very active and dedicated member of The Glen Rose Lodge 525, Granbury Lodge 392, Columbine Lodge 147, (Colo.) Scottish Rite Member-32nd Degree, York Rite Member-Knight Templer, Moslah Temple, Fort Worth, Tx. and Lake Granbury Area Shrine Club. He was always up for helping with everything these clubs needed.

He worked tirelessly for the Glen Rose PRCA Rodeo until he was 88 years old. In appreciation and high regard for his character, the Rodeo Club created an annual “Hal Marks Heritage Award”.

The family would like to thank the hospital staff at Harris Cardio and Palliative Care for their efforts, care &dedication. Especially R.N. ‘Kelly’ and Pastor ‘Jeff’ during Hal’s last moments. Hal was an organ donor and is being cremated. His cremated remains will be buried next to Dottie.

Hal is survived by his wife of 8 years, MaryKay Pennington; step-son, Bryan Bowling; of Glen Rose. Children; Jeffery, Laura & Suzanne whom he shared with his first wife, Julia Marks, cousin Ms. Catherine Borgstedt of Arlington Tx. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 37 years, Dottie Parrigan Marks, Mother, Myra McCathran Marks, Father, Lindsey Mell Marks who died when Hal was a toddler and his beloved step-dad, Fred P. Myers of Washington, D.C.

Hal was loved by many and had great friends. Still living are; Eva & Billy Binford of Bryan, Tx., Bill Matlock of Granbury, Speck & ‘Mike’ Wilson of Springtown, Tx.