June 11, 2001
WACO, Texas -
The Baylor family lost a pair of former lettermen during the first week of June as Frank Marx, Jr., and Sam Boyd each passed away.
Frank Marx, Jr. passed away on Sunday, June 3 after an extended illness. Services were held Wednesday at the Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home Chapel in Corsicana, Texas.
Marx was born July 20, 1917 in Hugo, Okla. He attended school in Paris, Texas and graduated from Paris High School in 1933. While in high school, he participated in football. He went to Paris Junior College where he also played football, then attended Baylor where he lettered in 1937, 1938 and 1939. He graduated in 1940 with a degree in business.
In 1941, Marx joined the U.S. Army before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was assigned to the 13th Airborne Division and stationed in North Carolina and France, where he achieved the rank of Major. After his army discharge, he returned to Texas where he worked for Firestone in Dallas. In 1947 he was transferred to Corsicana. He assumed the managership of Stroube Implement Co. in 1949, where he worked for over 30 years.
Marx had a love for sports of every kind. In Corsicana he was a prominent figure in the youth baseball programs over 20 years. He was an ardent supporter and faithfully attended Corsicana High School athletic events. After retiring from the implement business, he became a substitute teacher at Corsicana so he could be around the youth of his city. At an Awards Day ceremony in early 1990, he was selected Corsicana's Super Tiger Fan in appreciation for his support of the women's athletic program.
Marx was a loyal supporter of all aspects of the Baylor athletic program, especially the football and women's programs. There is no telling how many trips he and his wife Katharin made to Waco for Baylor athletic events. Frank held continuous membership in the Baylor "B" Association and was always present for the annual meeting at 7 A.M. on Homecoming morning. Frank served on the Association's Board of Directors in 1982 and 1983. On football game days, the Marxs would meet in the Baylor "B" Room with their friends, Frank and El Nora Grevelle, several hours before game time. For their many contributions to Baylor, Frank and Katharin were members of the Presidents Club.
Marx was a man of integrity and honor. His focus was outward toward others, not inward. His life was that of unconscious self-giving, always thinking of the needs of his family and others with little or no thought for himself. His support of Baylor, especially in the athletic area, will be sorely missed.
Sam Boyd, one of the best known personalities in Baylor's athletic history, passed away Friday, June 5. Boyd was a student at Baylor from 1935 through 1939. He participated in football and was an all-conference end in both 1937 and 1938. He was also selected as an all-America end in 1938.
Boyd was noted for his pass catching ability. "Bullet Bill" Patterson, Baylor's quarterback, and Boyd were one of duos who brought passing to the Southwest Conference. Passing became a major offensive weapon for all teams.
Boyd and Billy Patterson were each selected for the 1939 East-West Shrine game, a major post-season game of that era. After his career at Baylor, Boyd played professional football for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1939 and 1940.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, then came back to Baylor in 1949 and served on the football coaching staff for ten years, including a stint as head coach from 1956 through 1958. His most notable victory, the 13-7 Sugar Bowl victory over top-ranked Tennessee, is still considered one of Baylor's greatest football victories.
After his coaching career, Boyd returned to his hometown of Cleburne to be a construction manager for DSA Construction Co. Upon his retirement, he and his wife Betty moved to Granbury with a home on the golf course so that he could play often.
Graveside services will be Monday, June 11 at 10:30 a.m. at Cleburne Memorial Cemetary.
