NEW BERN  -  Earsey Linwood Marks, Jr., 96, of New Bern, formerly of Jacksonville, passed away Saturday, December 7, 2024.  Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, December 16, 2024 at Jones Funeral Home, Jacksonville Chapel. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.

Mr. Marks was born in Lynchburg, VA on April 2, 1928, to the late Earsey Linwood Marks and Ruby Coleman Marks. He was the husband of the late Frances Hardwick Marks for 63 years, until her death on March 9, 2015.

Earsey graduated from E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg in 1946. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving his country honorably for 20 years. His last year in the Navy was on assignment in Vietnam, serving his country with the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, in the Chu Lai and Da Nang areas.

A year after retiring from the Navy, he accepted employment at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Camp Lejeune, NC. He served in that capacity for 26 years, retiring a second time in January 1993.

He and Frances made their home in Jacksonville, NC, for a total of 54 years. In 2020, he moved to New Bern, NC to be closer to family.

During their years in Jacksonville, both Frances and Earsey were active members of their church, Trinity United Methodist Church. Their home was a beacon for the family, most especially and annual destination for family holidays and beach gatherings.

Earsey was preceded in death by his beloved wife, by his parents, by his three sisters, Ruth Marks Snead, Helen Marks Fleck, and Louise Marks Davis, and by his brother Leonard.

He is survived by his daughter, Pamela Marks Kimley, her husband Lester, their daughter, Elizabeth Bonner, her husband Jesse Bonner, son Michael Marks and wife Kristin, their children, daughter, Kimley Brownell, her husband Christopher, and son Andrew Marks and his wife Kelsey, and three great grandchildren,  Kaysen, Ruby and Colman. He is also survived by his brother Clyde Marks and his wife Eleanor.

The family asks that memorials be made to Trinity Methodist Church, 301 Marine Blvd. Jacksonville, NC 28540 or Vanceboro Global Methodist Church, 560 Farmlife Avenue, Vanceboro, NC 28586.

The family will receive friends Monday afternoon, prior to the service, beginning at 12:00 PM at the funeral home.