James T. Marcis died Sunday, August 7, 2022 at his home in Chapin, SC. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marjorie Mae Cullen Marcis; his son Michael Marcis (Beth) of Myrtle Beach, SC; and a son-in-law, Russell Burnette. He was pre-deceased by his daughter Michele Burnette. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Shawna Phelps, Joshua Burnette, Cullen Marcis and Brianne Brown all of Myrtle Beach. He had 7 great grandchildren. Jim was born on August 24, 1938 to the late Edwin and Clara Bubatz Marcis in Chicago, Illinois. His brother Dennis Marcis lives in Myrtle Beach and his sister Beverly Shrupsha still lives in Chicago. Jim graduated from Reavis Community High School in Chicago in 1956. He was a young man of many talents but he was known to many as "Bruiser" for his tackling ability on the gridiron. He started college at Northern Illinois University but quit after 2 years to support his new family, marrying Margie in 1960 and welcoming their 2 children to the world by 1963. Jim would later finish college and get his degree in the mid 1970s after attending night classes for 2 years. He began his career with Walgreens in Chicago but was later hired by the Amway corporation in 1969 as a research and development chemist. He moved the family to the corporate headquarters in Ada, Michigan where his work ethic and success were recognized quickly by the founders of Amway: Richard DeVos and Jay Van Andel. They recruited Jim to travel with them to the Amway sales meetings all around the country to explain new product offerings and motivate the thousands of people who sold Amway products. Jim began to realize in the late 1970s that there was a ceiling to his success in the corporation and decided with Marge to purchase a quaint little 10 cabin resort in Holland, Michigan, just across a large sand dune from Lake Michigan. It was called Eagle Drive Resort and they learned quickly that they could be successful as a team. When Jim was told by the corporation that he needed to choose between his job and the new resort, he chose Marge and the resort. He also got his real estate license. After 2 years running the resort and countless Michigan winters, they both yearned for a better year-round climate. In 1979 they moved to Myrtle Beach, SC where they connected with a local real estate company that promised more than they actually delivered. Jim saw an ad for a small, cultured marble company that produced bathroom vanity tops out of an old wooden shack behind a motel. His chemistry background and vision for the future provided the confidence to purchase Easton Industries. Jim and Marge were so good as a team running the business that they were able to retire in their early 50s, passing the business on to their son Michael in 1992. The business is now in its 3rd generation of ownership with their grandson Cullen as the owner and operator. Jim and Marge retired to Pawleys Island, SC at the Heritage golf plantation where they had a great circle of friends who golfed, socialized and travelled together. In 2002, they decided to move to central Florida where they enjoyed the same type of friendships in the community called Harbor Hills. In the late 1990s, they began a tradition of a 3 week annual vacation to Aruba in the Spring. Over time, they began to spend time and socialize with new friends who also vacationed at the same resort at the same time year after year. Although they only saw each other once a year, these friends became an extended family. For more than 20 years, this was the vacation they valued more than any other. For many years, before and after retirement, Jim and Marge's home was the place where family and friends gathered for many memorable holidays and parties. If you were there, you know. In 2017, they decided to move back to South Carolina to be closer to family and moved into a home on the beautiful Lake Murray in Columbia. Jim will always be remembered as a strong-willed, determined man. The people who met him recognized his quiet confidence, his intelligence, wit and wisdom. His wry smile made those around him smile or laugh even before he said a word and he enjoyed telling his own jokes to the point of laughing before he could even get to the punch line. Jim was the rock of his family, a true patriarch who took on the risks and put in the hard work to ensure that his family would be strong, successful and loved. His words were measured and thoughtful, his actions reliable, strong and full of purpose. A loving, dedicated husband, father and friend. He will be dearly missed. Memories and messages of condolence may be shared with the family at whitakerfuneralhome.com Whitaker Funeral Home is honored to assist the family.