Bob Marney

Bob Marney, 96 finished his earthly journey on Monday, April 5, 2010 at his Rock Island home of 57 years, with his daughters at his side. The son of a sharecropper and the youngest of 7 children, born to James W. and Paralee (Higginbottom) Marney, March 1, 1914 in Myron, Arkansas. He attended school and grew up in Wiseman, Arkansas, where he began his life-long love of farming. In 1937 he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps constructing some of the first telephone lines in Arkansas. His supervisor said that he was "a good, steady dependable worker". In March, 1939 he came to the Wenatchee Valley and began working in orchards around Monitor and dreaming of owning his own place. In 1941, as the nation prepared for war, Bob married Johnnie Lee Majors on Christmas Eve in Franklin Arkansas. They were living in the Wenatchee Valley when he entered the Army in August 1942. During his military service, he completed two tours of duty as a military policeman in the American Theater of Operations, Sitka and Anchorage, Alaska, considered overseas duty at that time. In 1945, he was transferred to Fort Douglas, Utah where he was joined by his wife and honorably discharged in November 1945. From there they returned to Arkansas for the birth of their first daughter, Brenda, in February 1946. He never lost sight of the opportunities in the beautiful orchards of the Wenatchee Valley so in November of 1946 they came to Washington once more to make their home, settling in the Orondo area where he worked in orchards and warehouses. Their second daughter, Barbara Danene was born in January 1949. Bob and Johnnie worked and saved to be able to purchase their own place. And, in March 1953 they moved to Rock Island, their home until their deaths. They made their living, raised their daughters, and grew an orchard and a big garden every year. It was family farming on an orchard that produced peaches, apricots, cherries and plums until years later he converted it to just cherries and apples. Dad lived life on his own terms. In his youth he worked wherever he could. He drove a buggy for a country doctor, worked in a barrel stave mill, peddled apples, and hired out to farmers for a small wage plus room and board. He enjoyed telling stories of gambling in the woods with his friends and being 'arrested' and fined by the local constable. He was good at playing cards, enjoying weekly games until age and health prevented it. His tomatoes were legendary and, he never let you leave without something in your hand from the orchard or the garden. Dad lived close to the earth watching seasons and weather cycles and in his very private way he was acquainted with the Source. His last crop of tomatoes will be harvested from 2 little plants he started from seed a month before his passing. He was preceded in death by his beloved grandson, Brian, and his wife of 61 years, Johnnie Lee. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Brenda (Elery) Barnes, his granddaughter Barbra (Donovan) Holmes of East Wenatchee, his daughter, Barbara Danene Marney, and his grandson Peter (Janice) Marney of Spokane, as well as, many nieces and nephews, friends, long-time poker playing buddies and Spot the cat. 'It's quittin' time, Dad, be at rest. You are loved' Memorial services will be held on April 17, 2010, 2 - 4 pm at the Rock Island Community Center, 5 Garden Ave. All are welcome. Remembrances in his name may be made to Hospice of Wenatchee, c/o CWH Hospice, 1200 Fuller St Wenatchee WA 98801. Arrangements by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee, internment at Wenatchee Cemetery.

Bob Marney

March 1, 1914 - April 5, 2010