James Wesley Marquess -- Biologist and Teacher

 

James Wesley Marquess

James Wesley Marquess was born on April 19, 1943 in Bumpus Mills, Tennessee. He was the oldest of three sons born to James Odell Marquess and Martha Arminta Bowe Marquess.  Odell was a native of Trigg County and a descendant of Cullen Thomas. He was a minister and a farmer. Martha was a native of Christian County, Kentucky and was a housewife. Wesley’s two brothers were William Clayton Marquess, born in 1945 and married Linda Dale Calhoun and Herbert Payton Marquess, born in 1946 and married Helen Diane Heaton.  Wesley remained single during his life.

Wesley grew up in Stewart County, Tennessee and attended the local county schools as well as schools in Christian County, Kentucky.  He enrolled in Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in biology in May 1975. After graduation, he entered military service and served at Ft. Detrick, Maryland. As part of his military service, Wesley worked in virology research and hematology at the Military Hospital in Heidelberg, Germany.

After completing his military service, Wesley lived overseas for ten years where he worked for the Department of Defense and taught in schools in Japan, the Philippine Islands and Germany.  Wesley was able to travel around Europe on his long weekends and holidays.  After returning to the United States, he developed and opened the Health Hall at the Cumberland Museum and Science Center in Nashville and prepared an exhibit for the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville.

He returned to government service and developed the Fort Campbell Nature Center at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He retired from government service with 38 years of service.  Wesley then taught science for three years in Sacramento, Kentucky and was Professor of Biology for ten years at his alma mater, Austin Peay State University and Hopkinsville Community College.

Wesley died on March 4, 2019 at the age of 75 in Clarksville, Tennessee.

LINEAGE: (James Wesley Marquess was the son of James Odell and Martha Arminta Bowe Marquess and the grandson of John Wesley and Addie Peninah Pope Marquess.  John Wesley was the third child of Francis Marion and Mary J. Thomas Marquess.  Mary J. was the sixth child of Peyton and Sarah L. Ethridge Thomas.  Peyton was the third child of Cullen and Elizabeth Futrell Thomas.  Cullen was the first child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)