Marlyn Eugene Courson died peacefully at the age of 96 on February 5, 2025.
The youngest of five children, Marlyn was born April 15, 1928 in Thornville, Ohio.
Marlyn's colorful memories about growing up on a farm during the Depression shed light on how he became the husband, father and friend we knew. He was kind and knew no strangers, had a sense of humor and a sense of fun, appreciated the natural world’s beauty, and most of all, cherished his family.
In 1947, a year after graduating from Thornville High School, Marlyn married his high school sweetheart, Phyllis Anne Gettys, to whom he remained devoted throughout their 71 years together.
Marlyn’s job with Ohio Power kept their young family moving back and forth between Newark and Mount Vernon; he relished knowing both towns’ geographies and recounting their histories. Nicknamed “Vitamin” on his first day on the job, he was a hard worker who took correspondence courses to continue to learn and grow. He was promoted from Lineman to Substation Foreman and ultimately Area Supervisor for Knox County.
Later in life, he enjoyed country drives that included long pauses at electrical substations to review technical upgrades and explain their operation.
But what mattered most was his family—which included his friends and his neighbors.
Marlyn led a Boy Scout troop and taught Sunday School. An avid woodworker, he fashioned go-carts, flower boxes to share, and wooden frames to display proudly the watercolor scenes his wife had painted.
The home where Marlyn and Phyllis Anne settled in 1978 was designed and built, shoulder-to-shoulder, with his sons and daughters. He followed with tremendous pride the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
At his favorite haunt, the Southside Diner, he made sure the staff, his coffee buddies, and his family members were all on a first-name basis.
He loved hosting holiday gatherings and annual reunions, rising early to bake his signature cherry pies, and it was a point of pride that, his age notwithstanding, he continued to maintain his home, his lawn, and a backyard bird sanctuary until illness struck just a few weeks ago.
We will miss his easy laughter, his astonishing memory, and his unending and generous love.
Marlyn was preceded in death by his wife as well as his eldest daughter, Yolanda O’Connor. He is survived by his sons Bradford (Sharon) Courson and Darrick (Laurel Kennedy) Courson, son-in-law, Jack O’Conner and daughters Autumn Yovet (Greg) Coffing and Holly (Rick Eller) Courson, as well as 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 15 at 12 noon, at Grove Church of Christ. Friends and family may call one hour before services at the Church. Burial will follow in Union Grove Cemetery.
The Snyder Funeral Home – Lasater Chapel - is handling the services for the Courson family.
To express a condolence to the family, please visit: https://www.snyderfuneralhomes.com/.
