The story: Friends and family celebrate the late Gypsy leader Jimmy Marks' life, which included a funeral procession stop at Spokane City Hall.

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Spokane's late Gypsy leader Jimmy Marks was sereneded with songs like "My Way" and "Place in the Sun" this morning as family and friends from six states celebrated his colorful life.

"Jimmy was a leader to his people just like Martin Luther King was," his brother, Bobby Marks, told reporters and TV cameras outside the Spokane Valley funeral chapel Hazen and Jaeger.

Gypsies celebrate a funeral because they believe the deceased is going to a better place, Bobby Marks said. They cry when a baby is born because a child is coming into a world of suffering.

While people inside sang and a Mariachi band played, cars lined up outside the funeral home to escort Marks to a service -- and accompany him on one last visit to Spokane City Hall.

The lead car in the procession, a Bentley with a $197,000 sticker still on the window, carried caps in the back with inscriptions such as "Captain Jimmy Marks" and "United States Romani Senator," a title that Marks bestowed on himself.

Written by staff writer Jim Camden

Great job, Colin and Jim.

I cannot believe you idolized a scum bag like Jimmy Marks for days in your paper...a new low for the pitiful Spokesman. He represented the lowest form of human existence and you folks make him and his slimy family a folk hero. Way to go!!!! A Spokane Icon my ass, may he rest in hell where is belongs.

Jimmy would have loved it!

Some harsh comments for a great man - that's sad! I knew Jimmy Marks on a personal level. Very nice man, caring and very family oriented.
Did he do anything wrong to you? NO, he was just stating his beliefs...and fighting for what was rightfully his.
Sorry that you have a problem with that. I feel that he was a good man and even if he did stir up controversy with the city...they aren't holding grudges so why should you? Leave the gypsy family alone, they are great people and would do anything for you if you were in their "circle" of friends. Just because you aren't, doesn't mean you should look down upon them. That's sad for you! You hypocrite!

I taught school at Sheridan and came to know Helen Marks and some of the Marks family. I loved them dearly, but moved away when quite young so did not keep in touch. Grover was always so kind to me because I took little Helen under my wings to protect her from a tyrannical teacher and kids who didn't understand her way of life. She was a wise and precious child whom I shall never forget. Would very much like to get in touch with the family and extend my best wishes as well as let them know that I am celebrating in my heart the "going to a better place" for both Grover and Jimmy. With deep respect for the King and the Senator of the Romani, Carol

The Spokesman did a great job on the video and so glad you got the apology from the city on it as well. Most of the city missed knowing the real Jimmy. Reputation is what people think and say you are but character is who you really are. He had great character although most didn't know it because of the reputation others gave him. Was he outspoken? Definitely but he was sick of being treated like a scum because of his race and the ignorance of others. He had enough. He fought for freedom that he was suppose to be entitled to by being an American. I never realized that Gypsies were a target of Hitler along with the Jews and suffered so. Jimmy brought that out and educated us all on the real history of what happened. He also fought so Washington remembered the Gyspies as well as the Jews in the memorial that is set up.
He was very tenderhearted, kind man, a really good friend if you gave him a half chance to know him and a very loving and caring family man. Too bad prejudice like Peterson's comments still are alive and well. It not only shows a lack of knowledge on the subject but a real lack of compassion and integrity to refer to the deceased like that no less his remaining family who are grieving.
There is a whole other side to Jimmy Marks and a wonderful story that had a great ending. Too bad it wasn't sought out and told instead of all the Gypsy curse junk.