Ralph Samuel Marks

Ralph S. Marks passed away peacefully while surrounded by family on Wednesday, the 28th of September 2011. He is survived by his devoted wife, Kayla B. Marks; their son, Tevin A. Marks; and Ralph’s older brother, Myron B. Marks.

Ralph was born in Marshall, Texas to Aby B. and Mildred Marks, both of whom pre-deceased him. Ralph’s mother died when he was eight years old, and his father then married Belle Marks who is also deceased.

Ralph was a World War II veteran. He served in the United States Army Air Corps from 1943-1945 stationed in Alaska and on Iwo Jima. While in the Army, he received special schooling at Washington and Lee University.

In 1949, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BA degree in journalism. While at the University of Texas, he was associate editor of the “Texas Ranger,” a member of The Cowboys and enjoyed his fraternity days in Phi Sigma Delta (now Zeta Beta Tau).

Coming to Houston in 1950 to join his brother, Ralph’s first job was with the “Houston Post” in the advertising department. In 1951, he founded Marksco Outdoor Advertising Company, which he ran for 41 years before selling the business in 1992 to what is now Clear Channel Communications, Inc.

As the face and voice of the billboard industry, Ralph was vice president of the Harris County Outdoor Advertising Association from 1983-1991. He was appointed by Mayor Kathy Whitmire to the Municipal Board on Sign Control of the City of Houston from 1985-1993 serving four consecutive terms as a billboard advocate. In addition, he acted as mediator during the bulk of the Houston billboard litigations from 1985-1987.

Ralph was also active at his son’s schools including St. Francis Episcopal Day School, The Kinkaid School and Elon University.

Ralph always presented everything with a certain flair and will always be remembered as outgoing, sweet and kind. Everyone who knew him liked him. With a crossword puzzle under his arm and a pen in his hand, he reveled in using his enormous vocabulary.

Other survivors include his nephews and nieces, Miles Marks, Stuart and Candace Marks, Adam and Amy Marks; and his seven grand nephews and nieces, Samuel and Megan Marks, Austin and Brandon Marks; Ashley, Alyssa and Alexis Marks.

A memorial service is to be conducted at half-past noon on Sunday, the 2nd of October, in the Gordon Chapel of Congregation Beth Israel, 5600 North Braeswood Boulevard in Houston, where Rabbi David Lyon is to officiate with the assistance of Cantor Daniel Mutlu.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Margolis Gallery.

There will be a private interment service at Beth Israel Memorial Garden.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that donations in Mr. Marks’ name be directed to Congregation Beth Israel, 5600 North Braeswood Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77096; Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism, 801 Bering Drive, Houston, TX, 77057; or to the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation, 5090 Richmond Ave., PMB-291, Houston, TX, 77056.