Jeweler and philanthropist I. W. Marks dies

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Jeweler and philanthropist I. W. Marks dies

February 27, 2008

Houston, Texas—Jewelry business and philanthropic leader I.W. Marks died yesterday of Aden carcinoma and multi-organ failure. He was 73.

Founder, president and namesake of Houston's largest independent jewelry store, Marks also served on the boards of the Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan Houston, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Symphony, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Crime Stoppers and the Society for the Performing Arts, as well as several business and bank boards.

His store was elected into the Leading Jewelers of the World, representing the entire Southwestern United States.

Marks received many awards during his life, including the Better Business Bureau Award for Distinction and Award for Excellence, the Business Committee for the Arts Inc. and Forbes magazine's national Business in the Arts Award, including The BCA TEN Award for top 10 companies supporting the arts in the United States, and the Jefferson Award for community service.

"He was an incredible role model to my brother Daniel and me, and to so many people throughout the community through his business and charitable works," Marks' son Brad said in a media release. "We will do our best to live up to his great reputation for serving and supporting our community, our customers and our industry with the greatest vision, caring and utmost respect."

Marks had been in intensive care for five consecutive months last year at The Methodist Hospital where he was treated for a very resistant staph infection. In December, he was moved to TIRR for rehabilitation. He was diagnosed with cancer this month.

The Marks family would like to publicly thank all the physicians and nurses at The Methodist Hospital and TIRR for their outstanding medical care and compassion. They would also like to thank their extended Houston family, including friends and employees, business associates, members of the philanthropic community and their customers.

Marks' wife, Shelly Ann, son Daniel, daughter-in-law Susan, and their sons William and Andrew, son Bradley and daughter-in-law Melissa, Marks' sister Ruth Silver and numerous nieces and nephews survive him.

Funeral services are pending.

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