Vernon Marks

Vernon Leverette Marks, 97, was born on November 18, 1924 in Ettrick, Virginia to Harold Marks and Blanch Lockett and died on September 22, 2022 of natural causes at his home in Petersburg after returning home in his van from the Eagles Club and the American Legion.

Marks grew up in Ettrick and joined the United States Navy as a 17-year-old in February 1942. He served as gunner’s mate 3rd Class aboard the USS Kennebec AO36 in the landing at Casablanca in Morocco and in the North Atlantic. Most of his war time was spent as a gunner’s mate 2nd class aboard the USS Sumter APA 52 and LST 559 in the Pacific theater during World War II. Marks served bravely in the landings at Kwajalein, Saipan, Peleliu, Leyte and the ensuing sea battle and finally Okinawa.

In civilian life Marks was a printer and retired from the Baltimore Sun Newspaper before starting a hardwood floor refinishing business which he ran for many years before retiring. Not liking retirement, he worked for Bo’s Hardwood Floors until he was 86.

Marks was an avid golfer, fisherman and hunter. He taught his grandsons how to golf and enjoyed keeping them supplied with fishing tackle. He spent many years as a loyal member of the American Legion Post 2 as well as the Eagles Club in Petersburg, both of which he loved and visited every day. He was always ready to bring others a kind and encouraging word and participated in all activities.

He is survived by his sons, Stephen Lamboy of Fort Smith, AR and Vernon Lamboy of Spencerport, NY; daughters, Rosanne Jacobs of Williamson, NY and Paula Marvin of Macedon, NY; six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Petersburg American Legion Post 2, 820 Winfield Road, Petersburg, Virginia 23803. The family asks that all donations go to the Petersburg American Legion Post 2 and the Petersburg Fraternal Order of Eagles Club 882. Funeral arrangements made by the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834. Online condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.