On Wednesday, January 10, 2024, Jason Michael Marks, who was fifty years old at the time of his death, died away in his hometown of Sullivan, Missouri. He had brought joy, compassion, and music into his life throughout his whole existence. The early years of Jason’s life were spent in the friendly and close-knit villages of Bourbon and Sullivan, where he was a recognizable face and a friend to many people.
Jason was born on June 18, 1973, to his parents, James “Tom” and Cathy (Carey) Marks. In addition to being a proud alumni of Sullivan High School, where he graduated with the class of 1991, he was a baseball player when he was younger and spent his summers playing for the American Legion squad. Over the course of his transition into adulthood, Jason made his way to St. Louis, where he started his professional career with Local 2.
In spite of the allure of the city, Jason’s heart stayed in Sullivan, and he returned to his hometown to work at Jerry’s Furniture with his family. It was not only for professional reasons that he went back; it was also out of a sense of commitment to his roots and the people he held dear. The year 1997 marked the year when Jason took on the most cherished role of his life: that of a father to his cherished daughter, Madeline. Madeline, the source of his happiness and the brightness in his existence, was the essence of his world.
Jason was convinced that she was capable of doing anything, and he made sure that she understood that she was also capable of doing so. He poured his all into being the greatest father he could be, delivering an endless amount of love, care, and support as he raised her through the ups and downs of life. Whether it was playing the guitar, singing, or supporting her notion of clothes to represent who she was, he did everything he could to be the best father he could be.
The warmth and brilliance of Jason’s personality were reflected in the activities that he pursued. He was a self-taught guitarist who discovered that the strings of his guitar brought him both consolation and joy. His hobby was a matter of personal passion as well as a source of amusement for people who were in his immediate vicinity. He was a man who could always be counted on to bring a smile to anyone’s face, and his love for fun and merriment shined through in the home movies that he created. These movies captured the silly side of a man who was always available to do so.
He had a relationship with Madeline that was characterized by mutual admiration and interests that were identical. In the company of one another, they would pass the time by doing things such as laughing at comedic movies, participating in friendly competition over computer games, or taking leisurely shopping trips to the mall.
These little joys helped to create memories that Madeline would cherish for the rest of her life. In addition to being a fervent supporter of football, Jason’s enthusiasm for the game was contagious, and his responses to the action that was taking place on screen were a spectacle in and of itself.
He would frequently be seen enthusiastically cheering or jokingly reprimanding the television when a game was being played, much to the delight of his family and friends throughout the game.
The experience of traveling brought Jason a great deal of happiness, particularly when he was accompanied by his cherished grandparents. It was a highlight that brought him a great deal of happiness that they went on a trip to Florida together with his mother Cathy, his daughter Madeline, her significant other Aaron, and their daughter Violet in the summer before he passed away. He spoke warmly of the trips that they took together. The famous sense of humor that Jason possessed was a quality that won over the hearts of everyone.
With a well-timed joke or a ridiculous antic, he was the kind of friend who could elevate their spirits and make them feel better. Beyond the laughter, however, he was also fiercely protective and endlessly kind, particularly toward those he loved. This was especially true when it came to children. He never wavered in his commitment to Madeline’s aspirations and requirements, which is a clear indication of the breadth of his affection and the tenacity of his character. Jason is survived by his beloved daughter, Madeline Marks and significant other, Aaron Schmelz of Sullivan, MO; his granddaughter, Violet; a bonus daughter, Olivia White of Sullivan; his mother, Cathy Schatz and husband, Terry of Sullivan and father, Tom Marks; three siblings. .
Travis Bryan and wife, Olivia, Keith Bryan, all of Sullivan and Jillian Martin and husband Derrick of Cuba, MO; his grandmother, Viva Lou Carey of Sullivan; aunts & uncles: Debbie Senters and husband, Brad, Tammy Rohrer and husband Brian, Christine Davis, Alan Carey and wife, Patti, and Randy Carey and wife, Cindy all of Sullivan; and numerous cousins and other relatives. Jerry Carey, his grandfather, and Howard and Goldie Key, his great-grandparents, passed away before him. He was the seventh of seven children.
