James John Marking Jr

James “Jim” J. Marking, Jr. lost his battle to cancer in the early morning hours of Thursday, August 7, 2025. Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Jim was assigned and relocated to the Charleston area in the 1980s, and here he stayed after falling in love with the weather and warmth of the community.

Jim was a proud, retired Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force. He enlisted June 22, 1970, and served as a Flight Engineer until June 30, 1991. He enjoyed telling others about his extensive travels and experiences while in the Air Force and with his mom and sisters. He continued to travel around the United States and the world after marrying the love of his life, Brenda, on April 15, 2000.

Jim was an avid reader and firm believer in the value of continued learning and education, having earned many degrees. He was a devoted hockey fan and spent every season attending games and keeping his own personal scorebook for the South Carolina Stingrays since their founding in the Fall of 1993.

Jim was the beloved son of the late James J. Marking, Sr., and Betty Marking and is survived by his wife, Brenda (of Ladson, SC); his sisters, Jean Thomas (of Newport News, VA), Kay Ownby (of Winter Garden, FL), and Judy Crusie (of Newport News, VA); his step-children, Mitch Bennett (of Mooresville, NC) and Shannon Smith (of Morgantown, WV); and several nieces, nephews, and step-grandchildren.

A gathering of family and close friends will be held at the home of Brenda Marking on Saturday, August 9, 2025, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. For more information, please email shannonps@comcast.net