James Edward Marek
Obituaries
Steamboat Pilot - February 11, 2007
James Edward Marek
Steamboat Springs
November 5, 1946 - January 30, 2007
James Edward Marek was a big man with a big heart. That heart failed him on Jan. 30, 2007, when he died at his home in Tree Haus. Jim was 60 years old.
Jim and his twin brother, Tom, were born in Chicago, Ill., on Nov. 5, 1946. His parents preceded him in death. His twin, nine aunts and uncles and cousins survive him.
After graduating from college, Jim served in the U.S. Army Reserves, including a stint of active duty in Germany.
Sports were Jim's bread and butter. He excelled in baseball at Northern Illinois University and was the go-to pitcher for the local Brandywine slow-pitch softball team in the 1970s. He also coached basketball and picked up one of his nicknames in that position - "Coach Red Marek."
Jim's knowledge of sports trivia was remarkable in its breadth and depth. No detail was too small to escape his attention, and it was unwise to bet against his extensive knowledge of sports facts.
Jim moved to Steamboat Springs in 1971. Again in Steamboat, sports informed Jim's interests and activities. He was on the first committee for the Steamboat Springs Parks and Recreation Department and served as a catalyst to make that organization an active and vibrant part of the community. Jim laid out several ball fields during his voluntary efforts for the town of Steamboat.
One of the longest practicing real estate brokers in Steamboat Springs, he also helped initiate the Steamboat Board of Realtors annual golf tournament, which raises money for local scholarships.
Jim was one of the co-founders of the Steamboat Real Estate Exchange, a real estate brokerage, in 1977. With partners, he participated in developing, marketing and managing The Lodge at Steamboat. Jim was instrumental in founding the property management firm Steamboat Resorts, which also managed Timber Run and went on to become one of Steamboat's largest and most reputable property management firms. In 1985, he joined Steamboat Village Brokers and was a popular part of that real estate team until his death.
His work in real estate put him in contact with people from all walks of life, and he established friendships with many of his clients. In many ways, Jim's friends were also his family. He was a treasure of humorous stories, often quirky and altogether Marek originals.
Jim was often recognizable by the vehicles he drove, the most famous of which was a well-worn yellow convertible known widely as "Cream Puff."
Jim's enthusiasms took him to many sporting events, including professional football and baseball games, the Olympics, the Super Bowl, the NCAA championships and local sports venues. He also had a passion for whitewater rafting that led him on several trips to destinations in Colorado, South America, Australia and New Zealand.
Jim was a welcome member of the extended Werner/Walker clan that included Hazie Werner, Skeeter and Doak Walker and Loris Werner. Hazie Werner said, "There's always a place for Jimmie at the table." Jim attended Doak Walker's induction to the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, and often remarked it was one of his fondest memories.
Jim was a colorful Steamboat fixture with a character all his own. Jim brought much to his relationships with friends and co-workers. He will be missed.
A gathering of friends will be held in celebration of his life at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007, at the Tugboat Grill & Pub in Ski Time Square. This follows an 11 a.m. service at Holy Name Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Jim's name to the Hazie Werner Fund at the Yampa Valley Community Foundation, P.O. Box 881869, Steamboat Springs, CO 80488.
