Marlin Kenneth Kotz, Sr. passed away Tuesday, January 4, 2011, surrounded by his family and friends. Marlin was born July 2, 1932, to Rita and Willie Kotz of Beaumont, Texas.

A lifelong resident of Southeast Texas, Marlin moved to Winnie in high school to help tend to the farm and after high school joined the Army. He served two years at Ft. Hood during the Korean War. Upon his return to Southeast Texas, Marlin began his thirty year employment with Texas Gulf Sulfur as a roughneck. After taking an early retirement and still raising children at home, Marlin decided to make another career with Fontenot Construction as a line foreman. In 1985, Marlin married Eunice Hale and together enjoyed retired life for twenty-five years.

Marlin enjoyed being outdoors.  He loved bass fishing on Lake Sam Rayburn where he caught his pride 9.03lb bass fish during a recreational night fishing trip. Marlin spent much of the fall season, hunting a prize buck or a limit of ducks. After hunting season, he would spend the afternoons reloading his own ammunition. In his later years, Marlin tried his luck between playing bingo and making trips to Delta Downs Casino. Always eager for Cajun music, Marlin would look forward to Cajun Night at the Texas Rice Festival and the Cajun Express Show on Sunday mornings. Any day of the week, whether it be volleyball, basketball, football or track meets, you would find Marlin supporting the East Chambers Buccaneers.  He really enjoyed being with friends and family and was always willing to share a good story over a cup of coffee in the afternoon.  As a result of his passion for a good home cooked meal, Eunice and Marlin began growing their own garden and spending countless hours processing and canning vegetables. While Eunice had the upper hand in cooking the meal, Marlin will always be remembered for his decadent Westerner and Carrot Cake.

Marlin is survived by his wife, Eunice Hale Kotz; daughters, Cindy Kotz Hebert of Nederland, and Annette Rayburn and her husband Kyle of Winnie; sons, Marlin K. Kotz, Jr. and his wife Janice of Nederland, Mike Kotz and his wife Mandy of Port Acres, Paul Kotz and his wife Suzette of Port Neches, and Darrell Kotz and his wife Frances of Winnie; grandsons, Chris Hebert, Jay Rayburn, Jarred Kotz and James Kotz; granddaughters, Jennifer Hebert, Lana Rayburn, Andrea Kotz Neild, Amanda Kotz Lancaster, and Cherie Kotz; eleven great-grandchildren; brother, Frank Kotz and his wife Sue of Nederland; and sister, Sue Holt of Winnie.

Marlin is preceded in death by his brother, Willie Kotz, Jr.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Arboretum of Winnie C-Floor Staff and Odyssey Hospice for the exceptional care and compassion that was shown to “Pops”.