John Marchese
1949-2017
On August 20, 2017, after a lengthy illness, Jack Marchese joyously broke through the surly bounds of this world to join his Savior for all eternity. Jack was 68. Born in Oklahoma City in 1949, the family moved to the Edmond area in 1954 where Jack attended Lone Star School through the 8 th grade. He then graduated from Edmond memorial in 1967. On graduation, Jack joined the Navy during the Vietnam War, but he first had the sound presence of mind to marry his sweetheart, Ellie Marie, a nurse and strong Christian. Ellie would become his rock, constantly by his side during his final stand.
After the war, Jack served a three year stint as manager of Ken's Pizza in Edmond, leaving in 1976 to establish Briteway Window Cleaners, crafting it into a successful business to this day.
Besides his wife Ellie, two of Jack's other loves revolved around landscaping and hanging out with a select group of "senior cronies' from his Lone Star school days. Whether at monthly gatherings (Johnnie's) or via facebook, Jack was in his glory regaling in stories from those halcyon days and beyond. To his last breath, Jack held a special bond of love and loyalty for these close friends and treasured their times together. At family events, Jack possessed a dry wit for story-telling (sometimes at some unfortunate family member's expense!) and knack for off-the-cuff quips that kept our gatherings lively. We'll truly miss those special times together.
Jack was also blessed with a passion (obsession!) for planting and landscaping all manner of plant life which afforded him hours of heavenly solace, especially during life's trials of his later years. Today his yard is a monument of beauty and symmetry where every square inch is lovingly utilized. In fact, so passionate was Jack concerning the perfect placement of all his plantings that reliable witnesses recount how Jack lay tossing and turning one night before finally getting up in the wee hours to uproot and then replant a small tree because it didn't meet his high standards of balance and symmetry. (Perhaps the blame for this obsessive and peculiar behavior rests with Wayne, Jacks dear friend and botanical mentor.)
But, Jack's most important legacy will be that he brought glory to God by having exemplified his love for Christ as his Lord and Savior, bequeathing this testimony to his precious children, grandchildren and friends alike. The family is deeply appreciative of Ted, Jack's bosom friend who was a constant and calming force during his last days.
Jack is survived by his wife of 49 years, Ellie Marie Marchese; his daughter, Shannon Branson and her husband Travis; his son, Joe Marchese; His daughter, Katie Marchese; his 12 grandchildren; Kevin, D.J., Troy, Conner, Kristi, Chance, Devin, Megan, Joel, Jaden, Johnna and Jayce; His brother, Alan Marchese; his sister, Louise Miller and her husband Carl; his brother, Howard Marchese; his sister, Irene Cunningham and her husband Mike; his brother, David Marchese and his wife Tracy; his sister, Christina Reese and her husband Steve and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be Thursday August 24, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Spring Creek Assembly of God Church with burial to follow at Gracelawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8p.m. on Wednesday at Matthews Funeral Home and Cremation service, Edmond.