MARKS, Frederic G.
1933 - 2020
Frederic Gregory Marks passed away peacefully at his home in McKinleyville, California, on December 25, 2020. In his final days he was lovingly cared for in the face of an aggressive cancer by his wife, Marilyn, and his daughters Frances and Allison.
Fred was born in Los Angeles to Saul and Lillian Marks. As a young man, Fred and his brother helped their parents at the family owned fine printing shop, the Plantin Press, on Manzanita Street in Los Angeles, recognized as one of North America’s finest printing shops for limited edition books.
Fred held bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from UCLA, as well as a law degree from the UCLA School of Law. He practiced law in Los Angeles from 1965 to 1989, starting with attorney Paul Selvin in Century City. Thereafter he joined the law firm Ball, Hunt, and Hart, joining his lifelong friend Anthony “Tony” Murray, before forming is own law practice.
Having studied financial investing on his own, in 1985 he founded the investment firm Cheviot Value Management, today one of Los Angeles’ oldest independent investment advising firms.
After his retirement from Cheviot eight years ago, he devoted himself to developing his website, Capitalism: The Liberal Revolution, and writing an internet book, based on the lectures of Andrew J. Galambos, an astrophysicist and philosopher who innovated a social structure that seeks to maximize human freedom and peace. A student of Galambos from 1967 through 1979, he also served as his lawyer. Fred finished his book last year and it is available for reading on his website.
Fred moved to McKinleyville in early 2016 to be with Marilyn Miles. So happy to have found each other at this time in their lives, they married in a small wedding ceremony before family and friends.
A lifelong learner and ever curious, he was a natural teacher, a scholar, prolific writer, a voracious reader, an aficionado of classical music, and an accomplished violinist. With a natural mix of integrity, kindness and compassion, Fred was a gentleman and an inspiration to others.
A devoted father, he loved his children and treasured their time together, often recalling the many activities they shared, especially family vacations to Lake Tahoe.
Fred is survived by his beloved wife, the Honorable Marilyn Miles; his loving children Frances Rice, Allison Marks and Brian Marks; his grandsons Dylan and Byron Rice; his brother Byron Marks (Carol); and cousin Dr. Robert Simon (Amy); and by Marilyn’s son Michael Miles (Renee) and their four daughters. He leaves many other family members and friends. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, his son Gregory, and his infant granddaughter Lillian.
A celebration of Fred’s life will be held later this year.