MR. MARCUS WAS SO MUCH MORE THEN JUST A NEIGHBOR. HE WAS A SURROGATE "GRANDPA" TO MY SON, ADAM. IN 1999, ADAM WAS IN 1ST GRADE AND NEEDED TO BRING IN A "SPECIAL PERSON" FOR SHOW AND TELL. ADAM WAS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THE FACT THAT MR. MARCUS WAS HIS SPECIAL PERSON AND HAD TO ATTEND. IT TOOK MR. MARCUS 1/2 HOUR TO EXPLAIN TO ADAM THAT HE WOULD BE VERY HONORED TO ATTEND, HOWEVER, HE WOULD BE IN FLORIDA AT THAT TIME! MR. MARCUS PERSONALLY DELIVERED AND MAINTAINED MY SON'S BICYCLES AND HELPED WITH THE TRAINING WHEELS(INSIDE JOKE). HE WOULD SIT ON THE PORCH AND ENCOURAGE MY SON TO PLAY BASKETBALL AND AS THE KIDS GOT OLDER, MR. MARCUS WOULD "POLICE" THE ACTIVITIES OF ALL THE CHILDREN THAT WOULD GATHER AT OUR HOUSE. HE WILL ALWAYS REMAIN IN OUR PRAYERS IN OUR MINDS AND IN OUR HEARTS.