Obituary of Alan Todd Marion

MARION, Alan Todd, age 55, born March 25, 1953, departed this life March 16, 2009, of complications from congenital heart failure. Alan was born in Summit, New Jersey and raised in Maplewood where he graduated from Columbia High School. Alan joined the Navy and was on the Aircraft Carrier Constellation and did two combat tours in the Gulf of Tonkin. Alan received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star and the Presidential Unit Citation. Alan received truckers certification from Johnston Technical Institute in Smithfield, NC, where he worked and resided for many years. When his health was failing, Alan moved to Tucson under the watchful eye of his loving parents, Ann and Alva Marion. Alan loved table tennis and pool and was a former champion and ranking member of USA Table Tennis, an affiliate of the US Olympic Committee. Alan loved his family and was a unique character known for his humor, kindness and generosity to strangers who quickly became friends. Alan accepted Christ as his Savior and we know he is enjoying heaven. Alan leaves to mourn his parents, Ann and Alva Marion of Tucson; sisters, Pat Washington (Gerold) of Clinton , MD and Andrea of Montclair, NJ; brothers, Alva III of Kileen, TX, Andrew (Debby) of Tucson; nieces, Renee, Joy Skidmore (Justin), Devon, Jessica Buda (Chad) and Dominique; great-nephews, Gabriel and Aiden Skidmore and great-niece, Luella Buda and a host of cousins and friends. A Celebration of Alan's life will be at DESERT SUNSET FUNERAL HOME, 3801 W. Orange Grove Road, Tucson, AZ 85741 on Monday, March 23, 2009, viewing 9:00 a.m., service at 10:00 a.m. and interment with full military honors at Southern Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Sierra Vista, AZ.