Young County, TX -- Obituaries - E.R. 'Gene' Marchman ****************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Teresa Taramasso Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ****************************************** Marchman adapts his ideals to business Graham Leader - Thursday, December 30, 2004 E.R. "Gene" Marchman died early Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2004, in an Azle hospital at the age of 101. Moving from oil patch to oil patch was the pattern for E.R. (Gene) Marchman's early life. Instead of adopting this nomadic way of life in the oil patch, Marchman adapted the oil business to his ideals. He ran his business and served the community with dynamic, far-reaching projects, innovations that continue to benefit Graham. Apparently, Marchman followed his commitment to a greater good from an early age: Born in a family who moved frequently with the oil patch, Marchman made an important decision his sophomore year in high school. He told his family that he planned to stay behind and graduate from high school. He stayed with a judge in Jenks, Okla., (now a suburb of Tulsa) and not only graduated from high school, but went on to to college. He earned a degree in engineering from Oklahoma A&M University in Still-water. When he and his wife, Zeola Mildred Marchman, moved to Graham from Oklahoma in 1927, Marchman started work for the Graham Oil and Gas Co. In 1935, he bought into the Gratex Refinery. He sold his interests in the refinery in 1966 and since that time has operated the G&B Oil Co., an oil production business. During his time in Graham, his wife became ill with tuberculosis and died after a lengthy stay in an El Paso sanitarium. Although this period generated great financial stress, Marchman went to great lengths to help his wife regain her health. Despite his personal and business responsibilities, Marchman was one of Graham's most active civic leaders who toiled for four and a half decades to improve Graham. Many consider that March-man concentrated most of his energies in four areas: roads, Graham General Hospital, industry and the railroad. In July 1937, Marchman became the chairman of the roads committee and during his tenure, virtually all roads built in the area were sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. He felt the major accomplishment of his road-building career was getting U.S. 380 laid over the State Hwy. 24 route. This was the first and only U.S. highway Graham had. He accomplished getting State Hwy. 16 North extended to U.S. 281. He also worked with officials on the farm-to-market program in the county. He received a special "Road Hand" award, placing him in the Texas Highway Hall of Fame Road Gang. He was also involved in building a road along the north shore of Possum Kingdom Lake. Marchman worked hard to improve Graham General Hospital. He served as hospital board chairman for two years when construction plans were drafted and building began. He felt a personal commitment to providing the best community hospital possible. Perhaps his tenure as charter member and president of the Graham Industrial Association in 1968 was what made him famous. Marchman expanded the industrialization in Graham to an amazing degree. He spearheaded the development drive in Graham, which provided jobs for area residents and contributed to the city's growth. He was directly responsible for bringing Hexcel Corp., Graham Magnetics, Southwest Fiber Glass, Mr. Fine, Graham Homes and RBA Corp. Another goal met for the GIA was purchase of 9.89 acres of land and construction of a 71,250-square-foot building for Graham Homes costing $199,725. His last great accomplishment for GIA and Graham was the retention of rail service for the city and county. Beginning in 1964, he led the fight to make sure the city would have rail service. A tri-county committee was formed in 1966, with Marchman as chairman. This committee persuaded Rock Island Railroad to continue operations in Graham. Graham Industrial Association purchased the 54-mile track, right of way and a diesel locomotive from the railroad and continued service between Graham and Bridgeport. It worked out a lease-purchase agreement with the Texas Export Railroad Co. to operate the line. When the railroad line was changed, the industrial association sold the track and locomotive, realizing a hefty profit. In addition to major civic projects, Marchman served as a leader in countless clubs. He was a member of the Lions Club, Graham Chamber of Commerce, former president of both, and served on the school board, City Council and other organizations. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, where he served on the board and was chairman of the finance committee. The businessman was named Graham's first "Outstanding Citizen" in 1950. When he retired in 1973, he had a day proclaimed in his honor on June 4, 1973, by the mayor of Graham. After briefly living in Scottsdale, Ariz., he moved to Azle in 1974, where he renewed his civic duties and where a street was named in his honor. In Azle, he served as a member of the Hospital Authority, Chamber of Commerce, Azle Ambassadors, Azle Rotary Club (which he helped found in 1979), Azle State Bank Advisory Board, Tarrant County Private Industry Council and Harris Methodist NW Hospital Board. During his retirement years, he took time to travel the world. He and wife Catherine visited such places as Moscow, Russia, and Guadalajara, Mexico. His amazing memory and mind were clear up to the time of his death. Marchman never ceased putting his mind through mental calisthenics. His children, Jerry Marchman and Ella Hamilton, said that he recited from memory the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution and two poems mere days before his death Dec. 28, 2004. Whatever his job in heaven will be, it's a real possibility that he will come up with bigger and better ideas. Gene Marchman was born June 18, 1903, in Valley Mills. He moved to Graham from Oklahoma in 1927. From Graham he moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., but returned to Texas in 1974, making his home in Azle. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31, at First United Methodist Church in Azle. He is survived by three children, a son, Jerry Marchman and wife Sammye of Graham; two daughters, Ella Gene Hamilton and husband James of Graham and Annette Cohen and husband Stan of Denver, Colo.; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.