Gerald Marks; Composer of ‘All of Me’

Gerald Marks, 96, a composer whose best-known songs were “All of Me” and “Is It True What They Say About Dixie?” A native of Saginaw, Mich., Marks began writing songs when he was 10 years old and continued until near his death. Unquestionably, his biggest hit was “All of Me,” which he co-wrote with bandleader and frequent collaborator Seymour Simons in 1931. The song has been recorded in about 2,000 different versions, including four by Frank Sinatra. Other singers who recorded the hit include Willie Nelson, Mae West, Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald. Marks wrote the Dixie song for Al Jolson, who made it a hit. Marks also composed music for poet Carl Sandburg and collaborated with Gen. Omar Bradley on a series of patriotic songs. On Monday in New York City.