Charles “Tom” Marx – Hansen-Spear

Charles “Tom” Marx, age 74, of Quincy, died on Sunday, November 10, 2024 at 5:53 am in Blessing Hospital.

Tom was born on June 9, 1950 in Hannibal, Missouri, a son of Edward and Margaret Barnes Marx. He married Kathie Myers on August 2, 1980 in Quincy. She survives.

Tom was a graduate of Hull High School, Hull, Illinois, and he attended Gem City Business College. Tom began selling fireworks with his dad in 5th grade in a stand in Oakwood, Missouri. Fireworks were a passion and brought Tom joy, and he turned the small fireworks stands into the country’s largest Fireworks Superstore, in Hannibal, Missouri. The Fireworks Superstore was his pride and joy.

Tom was an astute businessman and developer, and bringing Staples to Quincy was just the beginning of Marx Commercial Development. Tom then revitalized the Steamboat Bend Shopping Center in Hannibal, Missouri, and proceeded to develop and bring businesses to the region. He loved to beautify and make properties thrive. Marx Commercial Development now has properties in Quincy and Jacksonville, Illinois, Hannibal, Canton, Kirksville and Palmyra, Missouri, and Keokuk, Iowa. His dedication to the community can be seen in all the ways he worked to develop and bring businesses to the region.

As an employer, Tom considered all of his employees to be part of his family. Even though he was the boss, he didn’t micromanage his staff because he had faith in their abilities.

He was a drummer, and he loved rock and roll music. Journey was one of his favorite bands. Tom took great joy in taking his family and friends to concerts to experience and enjoy live music together.

Tom was devoted to his family. He had many close friends and business friends, and he and Kathie even made many friends in the medical community during Tom’s illness. Tom was kind, caring, and quietly generous. He helped the homeless. Tom loved his friends, and even as he was dying, he wished his friends would all live good lives the rest of their days.

Tom lived his life “his way” and made a positive impact in the lives he touched along the way.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, Kathie, include his brother, Mike Marx of Hannibal, MO; a sister-in-law, Karrie (Craig) Smith of Quincy; two nephews; Tory Kaufmann and Tyler (Devon) Kaufmann, both of Quincy; four great-nieces and nephews, Peyton, August, Vada and Fia Kaufmann; and many friends.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Joshua “Josh” Marx, and his father- and mother-in-law, Jim and Dorothy Myers.

Visitation: 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, November 15, 2024 at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.

Service: 10:00 am on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, with Pastor Tom Dickerson officiating.

Burial: Grandview Burial Park, Hannibal, Missouri

Memorial donations may be made to GREDF (Great River Economic Development Foundation). Memorial donations may be made online at https://memorials.hansenspear.com/

www.hansenspear.com

Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.