James N. “Jim” Marker, DDS, age 79, of Manhattan, died May 19, 2024, at the Good Shepherd Homecare and Hospice House in Manhattan.
He was born June 23, 1944 in Iola, Kansas, the son of Maryl and Genevieve (Saunier) Marker.
Jim graduated from Yates Center High School in 1962. He earned his bachelor's degree in Education and Science from Kansas State University. He then served in the United States Navy and was stationed in Vietnam for one year. Following his Navy service, he taught High School in Fredonia, Kansas, for one year. He subsequently attended the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Dentistry and graduated in 1976. Following graduation, Jim served again in the United States Navy as a Naval Dental Officer, being stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Jacksonville, FL. Jim joined the Army Reserves as a Dental Officer in 1980 and moved to Topeka, Kansas, where he and his wife opened a General Dentistry Practice. He retired from the Army Reserves with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and in 2012, he retired from Dentistry and moved to Manhattan.
After moving to Manhattan, Jim worked as a delivery driver for Dillons. Dr. Marker also worked as an Inspector for the Kansas Dental Board for several years.
Jim was a huge K-State sports fan. He loved gardening and horticulture, earning an additional bachelor's degree in Horticulture from Kansas State University in 1998.
On November 26, 1977, in Jacksonville, FL, he was married to Marcia Ann Hofman. Marcia survives of the home in Manhattan. Survivors also include five children: Kristy Marker, DDS of Birmingham, AL, Kirby Marker of Topeka, KS, Jaime Marker-Hellon (Michael Hellon, Army Ret.) of Manhattan, Tyler Marker (Connie Marker, PharmD) of Topeka, KS, and Spencer Marker (Caitlin Marker) of Newnan, GA. Additional survivors include one brother: Dennis Marker of Yates Center, KS; four grandchildren: Kieran, Lillian, Oliver and Sullivan; and two step grandchildren: Lorelai and Bishop. Jim was also looking forward to welcoming a fifth grandchild to be born in September.
A memorial service is planned with full military honors, to be held on June 21, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, 5181 Wildcat Creek Road, Manhattan, KS, 66503. A Celebration of Life will then take place that day from 3:00- 5:00 p.m. at the family's home in Manhattan.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.