Born into poverty in 1937 as the only child of a single mother living in a small hamlet on the outskirts of Eufaula, Oklahoma, Marcus was a natural industrious “free range” boy.His education was through the 10th grade, but he always regretted not getting more education.He joined his father, Larkin Cox, in Hughson at age 14, but went back to Oklahoma where at 17 he married Gladys Nealis. The next year he became the father of his first daughter, Pamela Cox Littlepage (Bruce) then the marriage ended when Mark was 20 years old.Mark came back to Hughson in 1958 where he met his future wife, Dolores Wagenman of Waterford. They married in 1960.In 1968 Mark and Dolores built Space in the Shade Mobilehome Park in Waterford, managing it for 19 years.1971 brought a baby girl, Stacey Cox Williams (Ken).