James Gary Marquis, Sr., passed away peacefully on February 15, 2016, at his home in Cleveland, Mississippi, at the age of 88 after a short illness. Graveside services will be held at Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cemetery in Montgomery County near Winona, Mississippi on Friday, February 19, 2016, at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held one hour before graveside service at the Church pavilion. Wilson & Knight Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Gary was born on December 24, 1927, in Indianola, Mississippi, to Gaynell Ray (Marquis) Donahoe and James Nathaniel Marquis. He was raised by his mother and step-father Basil Cecil Donahoe from a very early age. Gary graduated from Ruleville High School and Sunflower Junior College (MDCC) in Moorhead, Mississippi. He served in the Navy for 18 months and later was in the Dixie Division of the National Guard. He and his step-father owned and operated Cleveland Insulation and Fence Company together for many years.

He was married to Jo Anne Marquis on October 22, 1950, who predeceased him on May 11, 2013. Survivors include their four children, James Gary Marquis, Jr. and wife Leigh Anne, Steven Alan Marquis, all of Cleveland, Mississippi; Debbie Marquis Buckley and husband Rice of Pensacola, Florida, and Beth Marquis McWilliams and husband Tim of Madison, Mississippi. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren, Michael Marquis, David Marquis, Michelle Marquis Thornton, Jeremy Marquis, Elizabeth Buckley Beasley, Jackson Buckley, Hannah McWilliams Lewis, and Zachary McWilliams, and seven great-grandchildren. Jacob, Zoe, Eric, and Brody Thornton, Reese and Jack Beasley, and Katherine Lewis. He also leaves his sister Charlene Donahoe Kendrick and his niece Tammy Kendrick Little, both of Cleveland, and nephew Mike Kendrick of Arizona.

Memorials may be made to the Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund.