Ronald "Ronnie" Marion, Sr.

Ronald "Ronnie" Andrew Marion, Sr. of Ocean Springs, MS died Wednesday, November 16, 2011 in Ocean Springs. Ronnie was born March 9, 1930 in Biloxi and graduated from Biloxi High School in 1949. He enrolled in East Mississippi Junior College in the fall of 1949. At EMJC, Ronnie began a life of service that spanned 60 years. He was trainer and manager for the football and basketball teams in 1949 and 1950. Following EMJC, Ronnie served for four years in the U.S. Air Force. Later he attended the University of Southern Mississippi graduating in 1957. He earned a master's degree from Mississippi State in 1967. He was employed for 36 years with the Mississippi Employment Security Commission for Biloxi and Gulfport. He was instrumental in starting the Boys and Girls Club of the Gulf Coast and remained involved with that organization until his death. Ronnie received many service awards over the years. He served in the Biloxi Jaycees and Kiwanis Clubs at the local and state levels and was recognized for his contributions with their highest awards. He served as president of the International Association of Personnel in Employment Security Mississippi Chapter as well as many civic organizations on the Gulf Coast. He was a member of American Legion Post 33 in Biloxi. He was a registered state soccer referee from 1978 to 1991 for recreational and high school players. Ronnie was named Biloxi's 1965 Outstanding Young Man of the Year. Ronnie was inducted into the East Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 for football and basketball 1950 - 1951. He was the 2003 recipient of the Boys and Girls Club of the Gulf Coast Shining Star Award for outstanding service and contributions and dedication to the youth of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He is preceded in death by his mother, Frances Stafford Marion Edwards; father, Andrew Joseph Marion; brother, Rayford Joseph Marion; father-in-law, Coyt Brooks; mother-in-law, Moddie Brooks; sister-in-law, Anna Lene Brooks; and brother-in-law, Dale Brooks. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Martha Brooks Marion; son, Ronald Andrew Marion, Jr., his wife, Melissa and their sons, Andrew Joseph Marion and John-Jason Brooks Marion; daughter, Anna Frances Marion Albritton, her husband, David and their children, Ashley Brooke Albritton and David Wesley Albritton. In lieu of flowers family prefers donations be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Biloxi, 11975 Seaway Rd. Gulfport, MS 39503. Visitation will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home with a 12:00 noon service. Interment will follow in Crestlawn Memorial Park.