FARMINGTON – Kenneth Everett Marks, 76, of Industry died Tuesday, June 1, at Franklin Memorial Hospital, Farmington.

He was born Aug. 18, 1927, in Blue Hill, the son of Eva E. Marks. He was a graduate of George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill, and entered the United States Naval Service upon graduation in 1945. He served in the Navy at the end of World War II until 1948.

In 1949 he entered Farmington State Teachers College where he met and married his wife, Elizabeth Smith of Presque Isle. They were married in 1951 and continued their education, graduating in 1953.

After earning his degree from FSTC, he continued his education and earned his Masters Degree in Education and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Administration from the University of Maine at Orono. He continued his education at the University of Southern Maine and SUNY (Geneseo, NY.)

Mr. Marks started his education career in 1953 in Presque Isle as an eighth grade teacher at the Cunningham School. He later served as principal of Pine Street School from 1956-1963, then became principal of the new Skyway Junior High School when SAD#1 was organized. While in Presque Isle, he taught courses for the United States Government at Loring Air Force Base in Limestone and the Presque Isle Air Force Base.

He was active in organizing recreational programs for youth in the area. In 1966, he accepted a position in SAD #9 in Farmington and he served as assistant superintendent until 1984. Following his retirement from SAD#9, he was an educational consultant and supervised student teachers for the University of Maine. He ended his educational career as superintendent in the Rangeley School District from 1987-1992.

Mr. Marks was active in community affairs as a member and officer in the Rotary Clubs in Presque Isle and Farmington and the Kiwanis Club in Farmington, and as chairman of the Farmington Recreation Program. He was a lifetime member of the National Educational Association, and was president of the Maine Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. He also served on the board of directors of the national NEA.

Mr. Marks served as president of the Alumni Association at the University of Maine at Farmington and was a director for the UMF Alumni Foundation. He received the Alumni Service Award from the University of Maine at Farmington in 1998.

He was a member of Old South Congregational Church, Farmington, and served on the finance committee and more recently on the Holman Parish House committee. He also was on the board of directors at the Norlands Living History Center.

Mr. Marks is survived by his wife of 52 years, Elizabeth Smith Marks of Industry; two children, Kenneth I. Marks and his wife Sharon Boyle Marks of Portland, and their children Kristen E. Marks and Joshua O. Marks, also of Portland, and Dianne Marks Griggs and her husband Kelly C. Griggs and their children, Benjamin G. Griggs and Adam C. Griggs of Norwich, Vt.; two brothers, Beryl L. Leach of Rockport and Lakeland, Fla., and Roger A. Marks of Punta Gorda, Fla.

He is also survived by a lifelong friend and mentor, Murray Tapley of Blue Hill; nieces, Laurie Marks Flood and Lisa Marks Burton of Castine, and Carrie Marks of Punta Gorda, Fla.; and nephews, Andrew Marks of Castine, Gary Leach of Westboro, Mass., David Leach of Lincolnville, and Steven Leach of Union.

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