Marcus L Hyde Jr.

September 4, 1936 - March 1, 2016

Our sweet Marcus has received his inheritance and is whole and happy with the Lord. Surrounded by his loving family, Marcus died March 1, 2016 after a lengthy illness.

Marcus was born in Birmingham, AL to Marcus L. Hyde, Sr. and Hazel (neé Camp) Hyde in the same house where his father was born. He graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1954 and Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now Auburn University, in 1959, where he was a member of Delta Chi fraternity.

In 1959, he met the love of his life, Judy Strong, on a blind date at Auburn. The two married August 19, 1961 in Birmingham. They returned from their honeymoon to the Birmingham News headline announcing the call-up of Marcus’ Air National Guard unit in support of the Berlin Airlift. Marcus served with honor and made the most of his leave while stationed in France, traveling throughout Europe.

After returning from France, Marcus and Judy brought three girls into the world: Jana, Amy, and Jill. Amy died as an infant in 1964.

Marcus’ work as a Safety Engineer with Aetna Life & Casualty took the family to Tallahassee, FL in 1974 and Fort Walton Beach, FL in 1978, where they remained until 2005, when he and Judy returned to the Birmingham area.

Marcus enjoyed a number of hobbies and interests. He taught his wife and daughters to water ski and they spent many happy hours on the water in Alabama and Florida. He and Judy made beautiful stained glass projects that still adorn their home. Learning how to do counted cross-stich himself, he then taught Judy and the girls, and they spent hours together stitching intricate pieces. With his woodworking hobby, he built a handsome grandfather clock that keeps excellent time.

He was generous with his time, especially at the United Methodist churches where he was a member. In addition to serving on several Administrative Boards, he volunteered to teach 5th grade Sunday School for many years, volunteered with the youth groups, and helped with maintenance projects around the church. For 25 years, he enjoyed teaching Vacation Bible School, taking a week of vacation during his working years, and continuing long after he retired in 1996.

Marcus was an active band parent for his daughters’ marching bands, helping to raise funds and chaperone band trips with Judy. He was a longtime member of Gideons, International, helping to share the gospel through the distribution of free Bibles. Like his parents before him, he actively cared for the elders of his family, including Judy’s mother and aunt.

Marcus will be remembered for his sense of humor and sweet nature, which remained with him until he died. He loved his Auburn Tigers, his dogs, dessert, cars, his grandsons, his sons-in-law, his girls, and most of all, his sweet Judy. His biggest legacy for his family was his unwavering faith. Through thought, word, and deed, he modeled Christ’s wondrous love and forgiveness, and influenced his family, neighbors and friends.

Marcus is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 55 years, Judy Strong Hyde, his daughters Jana (Delvin) Neugebauer and Jill (Rob) Rodich, grandsons Drew (Chelsea) Rodich and Reed Rodich; his sister Joyce (Holland) Hawkins, Jeannie (Chuck) Harrell, brother Stephen Hyde, Sr., brother-in-law Dr. Jack B. Strong, Jr. (Bettye) and many nieces and nephews who have fond memories of “Uncle Bubba.” He is preceded into Heaven by his parents and daughter Amy Catherine.

The family would like to thank Marcus’ loving, talented caregivers and New Beacon Hospice for their gifted care of Marcus and their support of Judy through the past few years.

Graveside service will be held at Alabama National Cemetery on Friday, March 4 at 11:00 a.m. Memorial service will be held at Asbury United Methodist Church on Friday, March 4 at 3:30 p.m., with visitation to follow. A memorial service at Somerby at St. Vincent One Nineteen will be Saturday, March 5 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Gideons International.