Fillmore Charles Marks

September 24, 1929 - July 27, 2015

Fillmore Charles Marks, Jr., 85, of Hillsborough, died at home on Monday, July 27, 2015 with his family by his side, following a recent stroke. He leaves his beloved wife of 53 years, Barbara, sons Doug (Sidney), Will (Evelyn), and Brad (Camille), and eight grandchildren: Henry, Julia, Sarah, Max, Eleanor (“Ella”), Margaret (“Maggie”), Fillmore, and South.

Born and raised in Stockton, California, he was the son of Fillmore Charles Marks and Gussie Fox Marks. Fillmore was predeceased by his dear sisters Marion Baer and Eleanor Marks.

Fillmore graduated from Tamalpais High School in Marin, and received his degree from College of the Pacific (now UOP) in 1951. He served in the army during the Korean War, spending more than a year in Korea. After his military service, Fillmore worked at Pacific Coast Aggregate and then was employed at Coldwell Banker & Company (now CBRE) as a commercial real estate broker for 16 years before forming Banker and Marks in 1974 with the late William H. Banker. Their successful partnership in commercial real estate created a business that continues to this day.

Fillmore was a passionate member of his community through his involvement in the Big Brothers organization and serving on the Boards of the MS Society and the SPCA.

Fillmore enjoyed vacationing in Lake Tahoe, hiking the Sierras and Yosemite, and travelling the world with friends and family. He liked taking photographs and was known for his fantastic albums and entertaining slide shows. He took pleasure in planting his garden every spring, listening to old jazz music and walking his dogs, Reggie, Samson, Victor, and most recently Cody.

Fillmore swam regularly, taking delight in the clear blue water of Tahoe. He was an avid skier, teaching his children the sport at Squaw Valley and eventually joining his grandchildren on the slopes. Fillmore’s skiing also took place in the water. We will never forget his stories of crossing Lake Tahoe on one ski in the 1940’s, beginning with a dock start and then placing his back foot on the ski before there was any thought of creating a rear binding; he was our King of the Lake. In his 20’s Fillmore took up tennis and soon taught his children how to play at his local courts. In his 50’s he took up golf, and while frustrated, he practiced hard and continued to improve until he could break 90.

Family came first for Fillmore, particularly his devotion to and support of his wife, children and grandchildren. We will remember his kindness, generosity, wonderful smile, sense of humor, and outgoing personality. He had a wide circle of friends and was a gracious host, with his freezer always stocked with ice cream to offer guests. Fillmore had an unending belief in hard work, he valued reputation to the extreme, and he believed strongly in the Golden Rule.

Donations may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at 1700 Owens Street, Suite 190, San Francisco, CA 94158.

A Celebration of Fillmore’s Life will occur in September.