Dr. Fred A Marx passed away Monday, January 20, 2014, at the age of 96. Services will be held at Temple B'Nai Israel at 2:00 PM on Thursday, January 23, 2014, with Rabbi Arnie Task officiating. Interment will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel, under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe.
Fred Marx was born June 10, 1917 in Monroe. He always said he was born at home because he wanted to be near his Mother. Dr. Marx was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Birdie Marx. He was a member of Temple B'nai Israel, Bayou DeSiard CC, Ouachita Parish Medical Society, Louisiana State Medical Society, AMA and Kiwanis Club.
Dr. Marx is survived by his wife of 70 years, Lil and their children: Dr. Don Marx and wife Judy, Dr. Robert Marx and wife Carolyn, Peggy Lockhart and husband Bill all of Monroe, Meryl Marx of New Orleans, grandchildren are Dr. Daryl Marx and wife Faith, Brian Marx and wife Victoria, Bonnie Brister and husband Bubby, Tricia Upton and husband Tim, Stephen Creaghan and wife Alice, Dr. Billy Lockhart, Carolanne Marx, Christopher Marx and Lauren Beth Slowik. He is also survived by his brother Howard Marx and Lil's brother Gaynel Lockhart who he looked upon as a another son. Great grandchildren are Matthew Marx, Nicholas Marx, Madeline Brister, Andrew Brister, Lilly Upton , Kate Upton, Madison Creaghan, Alivia and Bailey Marx.
Fred Marx was raised in Monroe where his grandfather started and his family ran The Southern Hardware Co. He graduated from Neville High School in 1934. He then attended Tulane undergraduate school receiving a BS degree then graduated from LSU Medical School with an MD degree in 1941. This began a long and wonderful journey in medicine that touched many lives, especially the future generations of his family. He did an internship at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. While working there, he spied the back of the head of a beautiful red headed nurse in an elevator. He fell in love that moment. She was Lillian Lockhart from Metairie, La. They decided to marry but their plans were interrupted by World War II.
Fred served two years in the US Army Air Corps as a Captain. He served as a battalion surgeon assigned to Montgomery's eighth Army from November, 1942 to July, 1943. He began his tour in Suez and was in charge of supplying the first aid stations and hospitals in the front lines. He and his fellow surgeons worked in tents in the African deserts. He then was sent to Tunisa, Malta and Sicily with the Ninth Air Force. He ended his tour in Italy.
As soon as he returned to the US, he and Lil were married. They moved to Monroe following his discharge and he joined Dr. Robert Simonton in family practice. He became an integral part of the lives of his many patients. It was a time when a family doctor was an obstetrician, pediatrician, general surgeon and psychiatrist. He called himself a general specialist. He served as chief of staff of St. Francis and later North Monroe Hospital. He started the first blood bank in Monroe. He became known for his compassion, his skill in surgery and his sense of humor. As medicine became more specialize, he moved from family practice to Proctology. He practiced medicine for 55 years taking, as he said, early retirement at age 79.
Fred will always be remembered for his passion. First was his family. He took great pride in the endeavors each of his children and each succeeding generations. He made sure that all of his grandchildren received a college degree. He, later in life, stated he was so proud that all of his children looked like him-not. He was passionate about his town, having opinions about everything and frequently passing them on in the letter to the editor section of this newspaper.
Fred was an avid golfer and was very proud of the fact that he was able to shoot his age over 150 times. He also was noted for his philanthropy. He established the Lillian L and Fred A Marx Endowed Professorship in Biology at ULM to encourage and reward excellence in teaching and research. He also sponsored a ULM golf tournament named in his honor (Fred Marx Invitational).
His influence caused sons Don and Robert, grandson, Daryl, niece, Suzanne Lockhart and nephew, Chip Marx to become medical doctors. His daughter, Meryl became an RN, his grandson, Billy, III, a doctor of chiropractic, and grandson, Brian Marx is also in the medical field.
The title of an article written about him in his later years was entitled "A Life Well Lived". It certainly was.
Pallbearers will be his grandchildren and great grandsons.
Calling hours will be 4-6 PM Wednesday, January 22, 2014, at the funeral home.
Donations can be made to ULM or Temple B'Nai Israel.
Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com
Mulhearn Funeral Home
Sterlington Road
Monroe, LA
Services
2:00 PM on Thursday, January 23, 2014
Temple B'Nai Israel
Monroe, LA
Visitation
4-6 PM Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Mulhearn Funeral Home
Monroe, LA