Joe Marak passed peacefully on January 11, 2018 at the Norman Veteran’s Center. He is survived by one brother Louis Marak of Kansas City; four children Joe Marak, Jr., Teresa Raphel, Barbara Newman, and Thom Marak; and 13 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Louise Marak.
After graduating from Meeker High School, he enlisted in the Army and was shipped to the European Theater where he was wounded in combat. Upon recovering from his wounds, he used the GI Bill to pursue his education at Murray State College, Oklahoma A&M (OSU), and the University of Oklahoma. He then began a teaching career of over 20 years. Joe Marak inspired future nurses and doctors as a health science teacher at St. Mary’s of the Plains in Dodge City, Kansas as well as at the University of Oklahoma. Thereafter, he transitioned to working for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture for 18 years.
As a lifelong Catholic, Joe was honored to be a founding member of St. Mark’s Parish, where the prayer service/rosary will be held on Friday, January 19, 2018 at 7:00 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held the morning of Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 10:00 am, also at St. Mark The Evangelist Catholic Church (3939 W. Tecumseh Rd. in Norman) with interment to follow at New Hope Cemetery in Meeker, Oklahoma.
Services are under the direction of Havenbrook Funeral Home in Norman.

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