Johnny Gilbert Marrs

Services will be live-streamed and may be viewed by clicking here at 2:00 PM, MST.

John Gilbert Marrs was born on October 20, 1937, in Carlsbad, New Mexico to Gilbert Earl Marrs and Edath Harris Marrs. He left this life of 86 years and went to his heavenly home on December 29, 2023, peacefully surrounded by his family. Visitation will be 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home.  His funeral will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at First Baptist Church-Carlsbad with Pastor Keith Berryman and Pastor Howell Scott officiating.  Interment will follow in Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, New Mexico.  Pallbearers will be Johnny Marrs, Greg Marrs, Cody Marrs, Eric Marrs, Brad Bullock, Rusty Ryan.

John graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1957 and attended Western New Mexico University on a football scholarship. He worked at IMCC Potash for 42 years where he retired in 2000 as General Mine Foreman. During that time, he and his family operated a cattle ranch east of Carlsbad where he developed a talent and passion for breaking and training quarter horses for cutting and reining. He later owned a farm east of Loving, New Mexico where he farmed alfalfa and cotton and raised cattle, sheep and angora goats.

John was very active in the community including being past president of the Eddy County Sherriff's Posse and the People's Commission for Criminal Justice. He was a 32^nd degree Master Mason and served as the Worshipful Master of the Eddy Lodge and Lake Arthur Lodge. He was also a Shriner and a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge.

He married his high school sweetheart, Jimmi Elmore, in 1958 and they raised three wonderful sons.

John loved hunting and fishing with his sons and grandsons. He was a talented sketch artist, silversmith, and gardener.

"PaPa," as he was affectionately known by his grandchildren, was always good for an entertaining story, poem or even a song. Whether a hunting or fishing trip or simply being a spectator at a sporting event, one of his greatest joys was the time he spent with his grandchildren.

Later in his life he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and became a committed witness to others sharing the good news of salvation. He was a member of First Baptist Church.

John was preceded in death by his father, Gilbert Earl Marrs; mother, Edath Marrs; brother, Clinton Marrs and sister, Beverly Gant.

John is survived by his loving wife, Jimmi of Carlsbad, NM; three sons; Johnny Marrs and wife, Peggy, of Carlsbad, Greg Marrs of Artesia, and Jason Marrs and wife, Isa, of Hopewell Junction, NY; six grandchildren, Crista Bullock (Brad), Eric Marrs, Cody Marrs (Tinnie), Amanda Kemp (Justin), Maya Marrs and Aaron Marrs; 6 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriner's Children's Hospital.