James Edwin Marlin Sr.

James Edwin Marlin Sr. was born June 25, 1945 in Houston, Texas to parents Edna and Geraldine Marlin. James was baptized as a young child at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. He was quiet and funny as a child and never gave his parents any trouble. James attended Douglas Elementary, Attucks Jr. High and Evan E. Worthing Sr. High School, class of 1963 where he excelled as the Colts ace baseball pitcher. His high school buddies then and now still call him "Duke". He went on to study at Texas Southern University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and Political science in 1967, where he was on the Dean's list. James was a pitcher for the Tiger's baseball team. He was one of the three black students at TSU to be chosen as the first to be student teachers at Houston Independent School District (HISD). He taught history at Pershing Jr. High.

He later married Beverly Anderson Marlin in 1967. In this union, his children, James Edwin Marlin Jr. and Erica Johnett Marlin were born. James later married the late Velma Demaris Marlin in 1984 and they enjoyed traveling and shopping for antiques. Mr. Marlin loved to play cards with his mother and friends in the family garage and always tried to cheat! On the weekends, he could be found at his parents home, eating barbeque with all the sides and on Sunday, enjoying slow cooked meats, homemade yeast rolls and desserts.

James was always easy going , hardworking, and a likable person. He worked in his younger years at the old Houston VA Hospital. He also worked at Gulf Coast Community Services as a staffer and later as Personnel Director. Mr. Marlin worked as a teacher and librarian at Houston ISD and an ESL instructor at Houston Community College. Upon retirement, James worked as a crossing guard and driver for Meals on Wheels. He coached the Blue Ridge All Play League for several years. James loved sports and his favorite teams were the Houston Astros, Houston Texans, and the Colorado Buffaloes.

Mr. Marlin is preceded in death by Velma Demaris Marlin; grandparents Edney Marlin and Christianna Ray Marlin; Robert Green and Piccola Moore; parents Edna and Geraldine Marlin; sister Edna Faye Marlin Cage; brothers Charles H. Marlin and Lloyd G. Marlin. His memories will be cherished by his children James E. Marlin Jr., (Sonya) Erica J. Marlin, Chariti Monique Peters, Ollieta Demaris Nicholas (Yohance) and Samuel Lester Demaris III; grandchildren, James III, Solomon, Lark, Philip, Ashlyn, Autumn, Samantha, Hannah, Olivia, and Ariana; great-grandchildren, Riley, Marley, and Briella. Sisters, Geraldine, Marlin Gee and Debra Carol Marlin; niece, Miriam Cage and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, family members and friends.