Irving Williams Marks
(1934-2008)
I. W. Marks
06:41 PM CST on Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Iconic Houston jeweler I.W. Marks died Tuesday after a battle with cancer. He was 73.
I.W. Marks was 73. He died Tuesday of cancer.
Marks was a popular figure in Houston, especially among sports fans who grew up with his TV commercials on Houston Wrestling and his continuous sponsorship of local sports talk radio.
Marks opened his first jewelry store on Bellaire Blvd. in 1978 with just 500 square feet. It eventually expanded to 10,000 square feet. Three years ago, his sons opened a second store in Sugar Land.
Marks was also known for his local charitable work as a supporter of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the local arts scene, including the Houston Ballet, Houston Symphony and the Houston Grand Opera.
February 27, 2008
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| I.W. Marks, founder, president and namesake of Houston's largest independent jewelry store, died yesterday. |
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.