MARKS, Donald Charles Sr. Loving husband, father, & grandfather, died early Saturday evening after a courageous battle with renal cancer. He passed surrounded by loved ones and the angels at Hospice. Heheld various positionsat Bank of America, McDonalds, Pepsico, Thorn/EMI and that of President and CEO of the W.S. Badcock Corporation.During his 10 years leading the corporation, Don played a major role in directing its growth and image transformation.He was awarded Florida Retailer of the Year (2008) and National Furniture Retailer of the year (2009).He served as Vice President for the American Furniture Hall of Fame, as well as on board of the City of Hope. He was honored as one of the 2005 recipients for the City of Hope "Spirit of Life Award." Don showed a steadfast commitment to philanthropic causes such as the Ronald McDonald House, United Way, Habitat for Humanity, and the American Cancer Society. Don's main passion, however, was racing. He drove everything from Sportsman to Top Jr. Fuel cars, finishing his career with an alcohol blown Top Dragster. Some of his titles include Champion of the Florida Corvette Challenge (2004), Top Dragster Champion of the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals (2007), and runner-up (2008). Don is survived by his devoted wife Teena of 26 years; mother-in-law Lorene Ray; as well as his children, Tiffany LaMontagne of Bogart, GA, Lindsay Videnieks of Washington, DC, [Wayne] Lawrence of Los Angeles, Donald Marks Jr. of Orlando, and Jamie Marks of Gainesville; 5 grandchildren, Connor, Cameron, Hannah, Lily, and Gabrielle of Bogart, GA. The Memorial Celebration will be on Oct. 9th at 11am at Christ United Methodist Church, 467 1st Ave. N, St. Petersburg. In lieu of flowers, Don's family asks that donations be made in Don's name to either Suncoast Hospice or the City of Hope in Los Angeles.

MARKS, Donald Charles Sr. Loving husband, father, & grandfather, died early Saturday evening after a courageous battle with renal cancer. He passed surrounded by loved ones and the angels at Hospice. Heheld various positionsat Bank of America, McDonalds, Pepsico, Thorn/EMI and that of President and CEO of the W.S. Badcock Corporation.During his 10 years leading the corporation, Don played a major role in directing its growth and image transformation.He was awarded Florida Retailer of the Year (2008) and National Furniture Retailer of the year (2009).He served as Vice President for the American Furniture Hall of Fame, as well as on board of the City of Hope. He was honored as one of the 2005 recipients for the City of Hope "Spirit of Life Award." Don showed a steadfast commitment to philanthropic causes such as the Ronald McDonald House, United Way, Habitat for Humanity, and the American Cancer Society. Don's main passion, however, was racing. He drove everything from Sportsman to Top Jr. Fuel cars, finishing his career with an alcohol blown Top Dragster. Some of his titles include Champion of the Florida Corvette Challenge (2004), Top Dragster Champion of the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals (2007), and runner-up (2008). Don is survived by his devoted wife Teena of 26 years; mother-in-law Lorene Ray; as well as his children, Tiffany LaMontagne of Bogart, GA, Lindsay Videnieks of Washington, DC, Wayne Lawrence of Los Angeles, Donald Marks Jr. of Orlando, and Jamie Marks of Gainesville; 5 grandchildren, Connor, Cameron, Hannah, Lily, and Gabrielle of Bogart, GA. The Memorial Celebration will be on Oct. 9th at 11am at Christ United Methodist Church, 467 1st Ave. N, St. Petersburg. In lieu of flowers, Don's family asks that donations be made in Don's name to either Suncoast Hospice or the City of Hope in Los Angeles.