Marcus was born September 17 ,1971, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was raised on the Current River in the Ozarks. His family owned and operated Akers Ferry Canoe Rental, and Marcus was involved from the time he could hold a paddle. He never met a stranger and loved to talk to anyone and everyone. Growing up, Marcus loved airplanes, and this love followed him throughout his life. He had his private pilot’s license by the time he was 17. He attended college at CMSU for two years. He got married and joined the Army in 1991 and served for two years at Ft. Bragg in the only non-droppable unit, MLRS. Upon returning home, he went back to the family business and continued working.

In 1995, it was decided that Jadwin needed a fire department, and Marcus was in on the plan from the start. They got up and running as a volunteer department in 1996. Marcus loved everything about it—the training, the trucks, but most of all helping his community. Marcus ended up taking a break after a few years while he and his kids participated in Taekwondo tournaments and did a lot of traveling. When the kids got into sports and band in school, he rejoined the fire department. He also went back to college at Columbia College and graduated with a dual degree.

Marcus was the favorite band dad; all the kids just loved him. His sense of humor and strong, steady support, whether they did well or not, made him a pillar of that community. He helped keep the band directors organized, too. He pulled band trailers to four states and all around Missouri for the competitions. He also attended most football and basketball games.

You always had to plan extra time for everything because, no matter where he went, there was someone he just needed to talk to for “just a minute.” Thirty or forty-five minutes later, he was still talking. He was truly someone that would give you the shirt off his back while asking what else you needed. If it was in his power, he wanted to help.

He leaves behind his wife and five children, plus many more “adopted” kids, but his legacy carries on with one son being part of the same volunteer department his dad helped start.

He will always be our hero.