George Peter Marks, III of Plainwell, Michigan passed away on May 9, 2024 due to complications from
lung cancer. George was born on June 24, 1954 in Detroit, Michigan to George P. "Skip" Marks, Jr. and
Rosalie Jones. He attended Otsego Public Schools and graduated from Otsego High School in 1972.
George was a gifted guitar player, having been inspired by seeing the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show.
George was a member of several area bands and played at many clubs, bars, and other events. He was
a fan of the blues and styled himself after Stevie Ray Vaughan and Johnny Winter. George was not only
a musician, he was a lifelong student and teacher of music as well as a collector of music. He gave
numerous people guitar lessons over the years. After high school, George enlisted in the U.S. Navy and
served as a quartermaster onboard the uSS Nimitz. His job was to drive the ship. He received an
honorable discharge and started a career as a machinist, CNC programmer for prototype parts for the
auto industry. He loved to listen to music, play his guitar around a campfire while having a few beers,
and then a few more beers, and spending time with family and friends. He is survived by his daughter,
Jennifer (Anthony) Ricciardi of Washington, D.C.; his son, Ben (Karen) Marks of Wheeling, WV: his
brother, Ronnie (Beth) Marks of Otsego: sister, Cindy McDonald of Plainwell, his friend and former wife,
Martha (Roger) Bantug; his grandkids, Creed Eller, Mira Eller, Dorian Eller, Scarlett Eller, Lucy Marks,
Dulcinea Marks, Genevieve Marks, Caroline Bantug, and Cosette Bantug; his loving Aunt Marian Jones
of Otsego, Uncle Preston and Aunt Barb Marks, of Soddy Daisy, Tennessee; step siblings, Angel (Pat)
Clark, Paul Walker, Mike (Tammy) Walker, several cousins, nieces and nephews; and his lifelong friends,
Rick (Kelli) DePauw, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Kristy Sweet of Ludington, and The Chamberlin Brothers
(Doug, Greg, and Steve). George was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Roger Lee Marks,
his step sister, Tammy Walker, nephews, Corey, Jesse James, and Mark, and his good buddy, Chuck
Sweet. There will be a Celebration of George's life at the VFW Post 3030 in Otsego on August 17th,
2024. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that you make a donation to the Wings of Hope Hospice in
Allegan, Michigan, who took such great care of George during his final days.