Marks was instrumental in Badcock's entry into the rent-to-own sector with the Home Now brand.

Photo/RTO Online

Don Marks.

Don Marks, 62, former president and CEO of Badcock & More, passed away Saturday after a long battle with cancer.

Marks was a former Rent-A-Center/Thorne executive. Among other assignments, he spent 3 years in Europe as Managing Director of Radio Rentals and Crazy George before joining Badcock in 1998. He was instrumental in Badcock's entry into the rent-to-own sector with the Home Now brand.

Badcock announced its intention to enter the RTO sector in 2004 (see story). Long time Rent to Own pros Albert Kohut and Dan Companion were brought in to manage the project. The first Home Now store opened in 2005 (see story).

"Don was a great man and a great manager of people," remembers Kohut. "He was a tremendous human being. He will be missed." Albert Kohut joined ColorTyme as Vice President of Operations in 2008 (see story).

Photo galleries with Don Marks. Home Now Largo Ribbon Cutting; Home Now Clearwater Ribbon Cutting.

Marks was the first non-family member to hold the position of president and CEO at Badcock. According to the National Home Furnishings Association, in the first eight years of his tenure, company profits increased 280 percent. He is credited with bringing about a unified store image and new marketing practices and was instrumental in the implementation of the supply chain operations for the company.

Marks' charitable and community involvement include Ronald McDonald House, United Way, Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, American Furniture Hall of Fame, City of Hope and his local church.

According to Furniture Today, services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, 467 First Ave. North, St. Petersburg, Fla., 33701. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the City of Hope or The Hospice Foundation.