Verne Lee Marr, Jr, 69, passed away Wednesday, January 4th, 2017, at home. 

A graveservice to celebrate his life will be held Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at noon at Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Goldsboro.  The family will line up at 11:50 a.m. in front of the cemetery office.

Verne was born in Nebraska on January 13, 1947 to Ethel and Verne Marr.  The oldest of three siblings in his military family, he was a 'globetrotting' child who could truthfully claim that among his play areas were the fields around the concentration camp at Dachau in Germany.

As a youth, Verne was a good student, an athlete, a hard worker who gained experience working at several different occupations, including farm work and animal husbandry, and a university student in Omaha.   He enlisted in the United States Air Force in February 1967, and met his wife, the former Roberta Susan Ball in 1969 while stationed in England.  They were married September 2, 1970.  During their marriage, they were stationed In England and at bases in several states in the United States.  Verne continued to expand his horizons during long and short temporary duty and remote assignments  with the Air Force  and other military services of the U.S. and other countries in Thailand, Viet Nam, Guam, and Germany and elsewhere.   Whenever possible, his family joined him.

An avid reader, he always had several books with him throughout his military travels and at home with his family.  He introduced his children, first his daughter, Sarah, and then several years later, his son, Joshua, to his love of learning and reading.  He encouraged them to stretch their interests, and introduced them to the worlds of science fiction, especially the works of Robert Heinlein and Douglas Adams.  They fondly remember their numerous discussions of "Life, the Universe, and Everything," as well as how the number 42 was the answer to this question.   He enjoyed spending time with his wife, and with his children, both when they were young and as adults.

He retired from the Air Force in 1988 at Seymour Johnson AFB, and the family settled in Goldsboro, NC.  His subsequent 'careers' included employment with Gray & Creech servicing copiers throughout Eastern North Carolina, as an Enumerator in northern Pitt County during the 2000 census, and with Lockheed Martin working on Blackhawk helicopters at Simmons Army Airfield in Fayetteville.  He also took many classes at Wayne Community College where also served as a tutor, and studied geology and other subjects at East Carolina University.  He was a volunteer at Kitty Askins Hospice Center for two years and helped with several American Cancer Society Relays for Life, and Society of St Vincent de Paul projects. 

Verne had many interests--from spending time on narrowboats with his friend Tom in England, sailing with him off the coasts of England and Scotland, hiking the moors of Scotland, to traveling and learning about other cultures.  He was fascinated by the histories of the United States, the United Kingdom, and western European countries.  He was an avid and knowledgeable student of military history, and his knowledge about the development and capabilities of modern aircraft and military aircraft and equipment was exceptional.  He welcomed every opportunity to engage in discussions with others with similar interests, or to teach and explain to those whose knowledge was more limited.   

In recent years, he especially enjoyed spending time with his children and pestering his 'grandcats' - Baldur, Loki and Boots.  He loved 'catching up' by watching old movies and classic television shows including British mysteries, theater performances, and scientific and history programs.  He thrived on internet research, and watching airplane videos on his computer.

He is survived by his daughter Sarah Ryan and husband, Robert, of Rocky Mount, NC, and son, Joshua A. Marr, of Goldsboro; his mother, Ethel Norton Marr Cooke; a sister, Sharon Keerbs and her husband, Gene; and brother, John Marr and his wife, Denise, all  of Omaha, NE.  He is also survived by a special friend, Patricia O'Connell of Goldsboro.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 26 years, Roberta Marr, and his father, Verne Lee Marr, Sr.

The family is in the care of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro.

 Service Information