James Marcus Laney passed away peacefully in Kingwood, TX on Monday, June 26, 2023 following a tragic fall from a ladder. He was 81 years of age. J. Marcus was born on the 12th of June 1942, in Pittsburg, TX, the son of Ammie Kathryn Dobbs Laney and Jessie Marcus Laney. Marcus, along with his brothers Dickey and Stephen started a boring business in 1979. In 1989, the brothers formed Laney Directional Drilling. In 2012, the Laney brothers formed MDS Boring and Drilling. The brothers built an empire in the pipeline business boring highways and drilling rivers for pipeline contractors. The brothers were known for the quality of their work and their fairness.

J. Marcus was a born-again Christian and is celebrating in Heaven with his wife Beverly, his children Rhonda and Ronald as well as his parents Jessie Marcus and Kathryn.

Marcus is survived by his beloved granddaughters, Jessica Smith (Chad) and Calea Vickery (Andy) along with great grandchildren Harper Smith and AJ and KC Vickery. Marcus is also survived by Lynda Brown, her son Justin (Andrea) and grandchildren Brantley and Brody Brown. Marcus leaves behind his brothers Dickey (Donna) and Stephen (Janice).

Marcus loved golf and racing. He loved Lake Cliff Golf Club in Lake Cliff on Lake Austin where he was a Legacy Golf Member. He boasted regularly how he won the Martini Golf Tournament two times. He will certainly miss his regular golf games with his dear friends.

Marcus’ celebration of life will be July 6, 2023 at Rosewood Funeral Home in Humble, TX at 1:00 PM.