On August 26, 2010 Mobile lost a prominent and memorable citizen. Julien E. Marx, the only child of the late Julius and Jean Marx, was 68. Born and raised in Mobile he graduated from Murphy High School. While at the University of Alabama he was the business manager of the Crimson-White newspaper and a member of Zeta Beta Tau social fraternity. Following graduation he entered the United States Army as a second lieutenant where he served in Vietnam. Other than one trip around the world on his way back from service in Vietnam he never took a vacation. He and his wife, Linda (White-Williams) would have been married 18 years next week. Over the years they have had many dogs and innumerable cats in their personal care. Known in the business community for his ownership of many major real estate properties, and Julius E. Marx Realtors, he was also often a joint venturer and supporter of many small businesses and individuals. He, along with partners, backed many inventions ranging from original medical research projects to consumer products. He was an indefatigable shopper at garage sales. He will be sorely missed at Hudson Salvage. Ready for every emergency he had one of the largest private collections of flashlights, batteries, chainsaws and other supplies. He was rather famous for giving unsolicited advice to his tenants, merchants and friends. We recently found in a file a letter to PetSmart recommending a different way to package cat food. He took civic responsibility very seriously. In his early days he worked for the Soap Box Derby, Downtown Mobile Unlimited and the real estate traders club (now the Mobile Commercial Real Estate Exchange). Later he very actively supported and served as a board member of the Boy Scouts and the Retarded Senior Citizens Home (MARC). He generously endowed several scholarships at the University of South Alabama, one to encourage minority art students and another in philosophy. Most of his charitable giving was anonymous or with very little personal attribution. Like his father, Mr. Marx was an avid photographer and later donated his father's extensive collection of photographs documenting many years of Mobile history to the University of South Alabama. He also established other funds at the University for scholarships which were targeted for students in ways that reflected his diverse interests. Combined with his love of photography he also loved flowers and shared this love with his in-laws (Mr. and Mrs. Harry White) who are avid gardeners and nurtured his father in laws love of photography. He was also very kind and generous to his employees and contractors. He had many long term business partnerships with various prominent businessmen and women all of whom can attest that he never arrived to a meeting on time, contending that he was "born late" and had never been able to catch up. He did possess a keen and incisive mind and was able to see opportunity for profit in very unlikely places. All of his partners benefited greatly from his humor, support and wisdom. His only living relatives were cousins: Alan Green of Avinger, Texas, Lynne Zweig of McHenry, Illinois, Barbara Erdreich Fine of Destin, Florida, Kaydee Erdreich Breman of Birmingham, Alabama, Susan Erdreich Flint of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Dale Gold of Fairfax, Virginia. Other members of the family are his father- and mother-in-law, Harry and Lavonia White; sisters-in-law, Diane White and Debbie Orso (Warren); and nephews, Frank Thompson, Jeffery Thompson, Brandon Thompson (deceased), Trea Orso, and Steven Orso. He had many close friends, including, but certainly not limited to, David Gardberg, Joe Thomas, Howard Smith, David Cherniak, and Margery Baxter. He had many business partnerships with a small group of local businessmen, notably William Youngblood, Roe Burton, Milton Brown, Logan Gewin, Bob Williams, Pat McAleer, Mike McAleer, Nick Catranis, and Earl Hollingshead, all of whom were more friends than partners. The family wishes to thank his care giver Karen McNab, Dr. R.O. Stidham who allowed Julien to operate on west coast time, and especially Robert and Pat Meaher for their many acts of kindness during this difficult period. Services will be held on Monday, August 30th at Springhill Avenue Temple. There will be visitation at 10:00AM followed by a service conducted by Rabbi Kunstadt at 11:00AM. Those wishing to make donations in his honor are encouraged to contribute to The Mobile Area Boy Scouts, the University of South Alabama scholarship fund, Mobile Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, ARF Animal Rescue Foundation, Springhill Avenue Temple, and The Boys and Girls Club of South Alabama. Condolences may be offered at www.radney funeralhome-mobile.com. Arrangements by:
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