Franklin Joseph Marks

Franklin Joseph Marks, Jr., 81, of Staunton, Virginia, passed away peacefully on November 8, 2025, surrounded by his family.
     Born in Towanda, Pennsylvania, on October 16, 1944, Frank was the son of the late Franklin Joseph Marks, Sr. and Helen Mae (Linthicum) Marks. He graduated from Towanda High School in 1962 and attended Williamsport Technical Institute, where his lifelong curiosity for science and technology began to flourish.
     Frank’s career reflected his boundless creativity and love of discovery. He worked for MGW Telephone and later at the Pennsylvania State University Astronomy Department before founding Marks Products, Inc., where he designed and manufactured innovative camera systems used in exploration, research, and industry. A visionary inventor and entrepreneur, Frank held multiple patents and was recognized for his pioneering work in developing cameras for underground and remote environments.
     He was a lifetime member of the National Speleological Society, as well as a charter member of the Butler Cave Conservancy Society in Highland County, Virginia. From the depths of the earth to the heights of the heavens, Frank’s wonder at God’s creation knew no bounds. He was also an active member of the Central Pennsylvania Observers and the Shenandoah Valley Stargazers. Whether exploring a cave’s hidden chambers or gazing through a telescope at the night sky, Frank approached the world with humility, ingenuity, and awe.
     An avid traveler, Frank’s adventures spanned three continents and most of the fifty United States, as well as Mexico and Canada. His adventurous spirit, intellectual curiosity, and deep appreciation for the natural world were evident in every journey he undertook.
     Frank is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Judith Ann Marks (née Clink); his treasured daughter Bonnie Gross and her husband Brian of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania; grandchildren Madison Mahlendorf-Innamorato, Sabrina Gross, Sarah Patchel, and Nathan Gross; and his sister Joyce Robinson of Douglassville, Pennsylvania, along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Franklin and Helen Marks.
     Frank’s legacy lives on in the curiosity he inspired, the inventions he created, and the love he shared with his family and friends.
     A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at St. Paul’s Church, 2000 Shutterlee Mill Road, Staunton, Virginia. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 1:00 p.m.
     In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frank’s name to the Rock Steady Boxing Program at the Staunton-Augusta YMCA, 708 N. Coalter Street, Staunton, VA 24401.
     Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton is in charge of arrangements.