.Marlen Kenneth Halbrooks Jr. went to be with the Lord on November 24, 2022. He was born on October 28, 1949 to his parents Carolyn Faye (Hogan) and Marlen Kenneth Halbrooks Sr. in Decatur, Alabama.
Marlen was a simple man, and the simplest pleasures brought joy to him. He loved his family deeply, and they loved him just the same. His 14 grandkids were his pride and joy, and he absolutely adored them. He was a people person and looked forward to text messages, calls and visits from his family and friends. He loved playing games with anyone willing to play (although he absolutely hated to lose). He was very close to his family in Alabama and Georgia, and he always made it a priority to keep in touch and attend family reunions. His family and friends were so important to him that he always made sure he was the first person to call on their birthday. And it was not just a birthday wish, it was the entire birthday song sung loudly, proudly, and completely out of tune!
Marlen never missed a chance to bring a smile to someone’s face. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was known as the family jokester. He loved playing pranks and embarrassing people, and he always looked forward to his annual April Fool’s jokes.
Anyone who knows Marlen knows that another thing that brought him joy was going to garage sales, flea markets, and auctions. He was always known to say, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” He enjoyed buying and selling the “treasures” he found so much that he eventually opened his own resale shop called Almost Antique, where he could share his passion with the Channelview community.
Marlen’s greatest treasure in this world was his wife of 16 years, Mari-Dee. Marlen often referred to Mari-Dee as his “Angel on Earth.” She was truly the love of his life, and he was hers. Together they realized a dream of owning their own business when they bought the Channelview Flower Basket. This flower shop has become a valued part of the community.
The Old River Terrace United Methodist Church was an important part of Marlen’s life. He dedicated countless hours volunteering and became life-long friends with many of its members. Marlen loved the Lord and truly had a servant’s heart. He cared for others before himself, and he could always be counted on to lend a hand to those in need.
Marlen will forever be remembered for his kind and loving heart, his love for his family and friends, and his playful, fun-loving nature. He touched so many lives and will forever be in each of our hearts.
“Remember me with smiles, I’m at the big garage sale in Heaven.”
–Marlen
“Me”
Marlen is preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Sabrina Halbrooks; and his brothers, David Halbrooks and Barry Halbrooks. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mari-Dee Halbrooks; children, Scott Halbrooks and wife Laura, Buffy Augustine and husband Vince, Heath Halbrooks and wife Emily, Gentry Halbrooks and wife Laura, and Crystal Macali; grandchildren, Austen Augustine, Abby Mathews and husband Noah, Hannah Medina and husband Brandon, Blake Augustine, Garrett Halbrooks, Connor Halbrooks, Jack Halbrooks, Burt Halbrooks, Emma Halbrooks, Griffon Halbrooks, Gracie Halbrooks, Drake Halbrooks, Matthew Grace and Charlie Grace; siblings, Ricky Halbrooks and wife Edna, and Karen Clemons and husband Spencer; mother-in-law, Tessie Macali; in addition to numerous other extended family members, church family, and friends.
The family would like you to join them for a Celebration of Life service for Marlen at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at Old River Terrace United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the church in honor of Marlen.
Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 1562, Channelview, Texas 77530.
