Larry Gilbert Marks, Sr.

Life Reflections 

Larry Gilbert Marks Sr. was born on December 9th, 1948, in Kansas City, Kansas to the late LG and Darline Marks.  He departed this life on October 25th, 2021.  Two children, Larry G. Marks Jr. and Nedra (Marks) Hayes were born in the union of Larry Sr.’s first marriage to the late Audrey (Kellin) Marks of Kansas City, Missouri.  Larry G. Marks Jr. passed in 2006.

Larry Sr. was educated in the Kansas City, Kansas public school system.  He attended Douglass Elementary and Northeast Junior High Schools.  Larry Sr. graduated from Sumner High School in the class of 1968.  He briefly studied music at Park University in Parkville, Missouri.  Studying music stimulated Larry Sr.’s love of all genres of music.  He was a collector of Jazz, “Funk”, Soul, Rap, and Gospel.  Earth Wind and Fire, The Commadores, George Clinton and the Parliament Funk, and 50 Cent were among his favorite artists.

Larry Sr. professed Christ at a young age and was member of Oak Ridge Missionary Baptist Church for over 35 years.  During that time, he was a member of the Voices of Victory Choir as well as The Leviticus Male Chorus. He also served on the Finance Committee. 

Larry Sr. met his wife Leota (Buford) Love of Kansas City, Kansas at Oak Ridge Missionary Baptist Church in 1992.  They were introduced to each other by the late Rev. Wallace Downs and then married at Oak Ridge Missionary Baptist Church in 1995. 

As the eldest of nine children, Larry Sr. had a very strong work ethic and worked at least two jobs all of his life.  He worked for Stuppy Floral for 50 years and was employed there at the time of his passing.  His positions with Stuppy included, Delivery Driver, Shipping and Receiving and Custodial Engineer.  His workday extended to Rainbow Company which later became Pro Maintenance Company.  He worked for Pro Maintenance for the last 30 years.  His work with Pro Maintenance included major contracts throughout the Greater Kansas City Area.  In addition to the former jobs, Larry Sr. worked the last three years in maintenance at Hollywood Casino.

Larry Sr. enjoyed shopping and traveling with the same enthusiasm that he enjoyed skating, jogging, basketball, and football.  He never missed a “Chiefs” game or a shopping trip to Florida.  Cruise trips with his wife Leota and traveling out of state to visit their grandchildren for birthdays and holidays were things he greatly enjoyed and looked forward to the most.

He loved traveling to NBA and NCAA games.  From the late 1970’s to the early 1990’s, Larry Sr. was a dedicated member of the Kansas City Men’s Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Basketball Team.  As an AAU member, he traveled to various locations throughout the United States and Canada.  He played in and officiated numerous AAU Basketball games and in the 1990’s, became a coach.  It was in this role that he led his teams to win the National AAU Men’s Masters Championship for the Men’s Over 35 Division as well as the AAU Men’s Masters Championship for the Men’s Under 35 Division in 1990’s.  Larry Sr. was an avid KC Chiefs fan and was a season ticket holder for the past 10 years.  He loved his “Red Shirt Fridays!”

Larry Sr. was preceded in death by: his son, Larry G. Marks Jr.; his sister, Theresa Broadway; and his brother, Gary Marks.

Larry Sr. leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Leota Marks; his daughters, Nedra Hayes (Rob) of North Little Rock, Arkansas; and Dr. Ashley Adams (Shane) of Vallejo, California; his son, Terrell Smith; his sisters, Tonya Marks; and Lorie Marks; his brothers, Reginald Marks; Stephen Marks; Ricky Marks; and Daniel Marks (Sandy); his grandchildren, Mekya Hayes; Kyla Marks; Rajhani Hayes; Kellin Hayes; and Charles Hayes; his great-grandson, Sehkani Hayes; and a host of other extended relatives and friends.

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