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Education Support in Honor of Jimmie Lee Marks
Our dear friend, Jimmie Lee Marks, passed away on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at the age of 83 years old. Jimmie Lee was a strong and straight-forward, yet kind and gentle man who is loved by his family, neighbors, friends, and community. He was my neighbor and dear friend. Our two youngest boys (Dejon and Elijah) helped to create an extended family bond between our two families that will never be broken. In short, Jimmie Lee loved and helped care for my son. I am writing this letter as a commitment to his son, Dejon, in honor of Jimmie Lee’s love for him.
Jimmie Lee’s highest priority and concern in his final days was for Dejon, 19 years old, (his youngest son) to “get his education and be a success”. This priority is nothing new as Jimmie Lee served as a cross-walk guard many years for Lum Elementary School, provided the after-school homework spot for our boys, took Dejon to years of golf lessons, drove our boys to many of their basketball games in middle school, high school and AAU, and visited the front office and classrooms often. His guidance led to Dejon rarely missing a day of school and being an awarded “A student” and on the honor roll in elementary, middle and high school.
Instead of going to college after high school (graduated AHS 2020 during pandemic), Dejon, at 18, chose to work and be home to care for Jimmie Lee. He served with great care and compassion during this past year, and highly so over the past few months. We are soooo proud of him. He is in motion to attend city college in the Fall. We hope to get him on path to a 4-year university by next year given his high academic achievements. (Any leads to supportive programs, scholarships and/or immersion programs is helpful).
So many of you that remember and love Jimmie Lee and Dejon have asked what you can do to help. This fund is set up for that – to help. It was hard to establish because Dejon, like his dad, is very proud and prefers his privacy (of which we will honor). He has proven and knows that he is strong on his own and will be successful no matter what. As he grieves his father’s passing, he shared that “money doesn’t buy happiness” but he knows his dad wanted him to continue his path of getting into college. So, he finally allowed me to set this up and appreciates your support.
The generosity of those who can donate will help with (a) current transition expenses of at least $2k for Dejon while giving him time to plan, but more so (b) ongoing college costs for the next few years, at least through undergraduate school. One-time gifts and reoccurring donations beyond the $2k will really help and are appreciated. All funds will go to Dejon for these purposes with guidance from a small circle of parents, coaches and family to and with Dejon.
Jimmie Lee leaves four children (one daughter, three sons). Feel free to reach out if you would like to give directly to the Marks Family (I can connect you to his eldest daughter).
On behalf of Dejon and the Marks family:
"Thank you to all who are reaching out with thoughts, prayers, and support during this difficult time."
Our dear friend, Jimmie Lee Marks, passed away on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at the age of 83 years old. Jimmie Lee was a strong and straight-forward, yet kind and gentle man who is loved by his family, neighbors, friends, and community. He was my neighbor and dear friend. Our two youngest boys (Dejon and Elijah) helped to create an extended family bond between our two families that will never be broken. In short, Jimmie Lee loved and helped care for my son. I am writing this letter as a commitment to his son, Dejon, in honor of Jimmie Lee’s love for him.
Jimmie Lee’s highest priority and concern in his final days was for Dejon, 19 years old, (his youngest son) to “get his education and be a success”. This priority is nothing new as Jimmie Lee served as a cross-walk guard many years for Lum Elementary School, provided the after-school homework spot for our boys, took Dejon to years of golf lessons, drove our boys to many of their basketball games in middle school, high school and AAU, and visited the front office and classrooms often. His guidance led to Dejon rarely missing a day of school and being an awarded “A student” and on the honor roll in elementary, middle and high school.
Instead of going to college after high school (graduated AHS 2020 during pandemic), Dejon, at 18, chose to work and be home to care for Jimmie Lee. He served with great care and compassion during this past year, and highly so over the past few months. We are soooo proud of him. He is in motion to attend city college in the Fall. We hope to get him on path to a 4-year university by next year given his high academic achievements. (Any leads to supportive programs, scholarships and/or immersion programs is helpful).
So many of you that remember and love Jimmie Lee and Dejon have asked what you can do to help. This fund is set up for that – to help. It was hard to establish because Dejon, like his dad, is very proud and prefers his privacy (of which we will honor). He has proven and knows that he is strong on his own and will be successful no matter what. As he grieves his father’s passing, he shared that “money doesn’t buy happiness” but he knows his dad wanted him to continue his path of getting into college. So, he finally allowed me to set this up and appreciates your support.
The generosity of those who can donate will help with (a) current transition expenses of at least $2k for Dejon while giving him time to plan, but more so (b) ongoing college costs for the next few years, at least through undergraduate school. One-time gifts and reoccurring donations beyond the $2k will really help and are appreciated. All funds will go to Dejon for these purposes with guidance from a small circle of parents, coaches and family to and with Dejon.
Jimmie Lee leaves four children (one daughter, three sons). Feel free to reach out if you would like to give directly to the Marks Family (I can connect you to his eldest daughter).
On behalf of Dejon and the Marks family:
"Thank you to all who are reaching out with thoughts, prayers, and support during this difficult time."