Obituary for Robert Steven "Steve" Marion
Robert Steven Marion “Steve,” 59, son of Robert and Anne Marion passed from this world and was received by his Lord on August 2, 2022.
Steve was a Firecracker baby born on July 4, 1963, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He married Tracy, the love of his life, on July 10, 2004, becoming an instant and amazing Dad to Tristan and Trent Smothers. As Tracy wrote on Father’s Day 2016:
“You are a Godly man that has taught our children to walk with Christ and always put Him first. You lead through example and your actions speak louder than words. I’ve never met anyone that possesses such kindness and compassion for others. Anyone can be a father, but only a special person can be a Daddy. Being a Daddy means sitting on the bathroom floor in the AM hours when the stomach bug hits, never missing all the games, practices, lessons, recitals, competitions, orthodontist appointments, teacher conferences or any event even when you are exhausted or sick, wiping away tears and explaining those hard life lessons, homework, taking forgotten lunch boxes or dance shoes to school, making cookies at midnight for groups of friends, finding laughter in the tears, tickling and night snuggles, always making time to listen, and doing ALL this and much more not because you had to but because you wanted to. Thank you for your unconditional love and support for Tristan and Trent. You always sacrifice your needs and wants to put our children first. I cannot imagine our life without you! We thank God for you and we feel so blessed to call you DAD!”
Steve was well-loved in the community not only for his generosity and warm spirit, but also for his lengthy career as a teacher. The love his students and their parents have for him and the admiration and respect from his colleagues earned him the title of the Fort Smith Public School district-wide Teacher of the Year in the late 1990s and the Teacher of the Year in two Van Buren schools; Parkview 2006-2007 and Butterfield 2013-2014. Steve was preparing to begin his 28th and final year of teaching. Prior to teaching, Steve worked for Weldon, Williams, and Lick and ABF where he formed life-long friendships that he treasured. Steve was of the Christian faith and a diligent servant of his Lord Jesus Christ.
Steve is survived by his wife Tracy and his children Tristan and Trent Smothers and Gracie; his parents Robert and Anne Marion; his sister Connie Adrion and brother-in-law David; nieces Suzanne Lollis and Heather Aguilar; and nephews Ashley Humphries and Bryan Glosenger. He is preceded in death by his sister Marsha Glosenger.
A memorial service for Steve will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, August 8, 2022 at Van Buren First Baptist Church, officiated by Dr. Elliot Hays under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family asks that friends donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, an organization that Steve faithfully supported.
Steve was a Firecracker baby born on July 4, 1963, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He married Tracy, the love of his life, on July 10, 2004, becoming an instant and amazing Dad to Tristan and Trent Smothers. As Tracy wrote on Father’s Day 2016:
“You are a Godly man that has taught our children to walk with Christ and always put Him first. You lead through example and your actions speak louder than words. I’ve never met anyone that possesses such kindness and compassion for others. Anyone can be a father, but only a special person can be a Daddy. Being a Daddy means sitting on the bathroom floor in the AM hours when the stomach bug hits, never missing all the games, practices, lessons, recitals, competitions, orthodontist appointments, teacher conferences or any event even when you are exhausted or sick, wiping away tears and explaining those hard life lessons, homework, taking forgotten lunch boxes or dance shoes to school, making cookies at midnight for groups of friends, finding laughter in the tears, tickling and night snuggles, always making time to listen, and doing ALL this and much more not because you had to but because you wanted to. Thank you for your unconditional love and support for Tristan and Trent. You always sacrifice your needs and wants to put our children first. I cannot imagine our life without you! We thank God for you and we feel so blessed to call you DAD!”
Steve was well-loved in the community not only for his generosity and warm spirit, but also for his lengthy career as a teacher. The love his students and their parents have for him and the admiration and respect from his colleagues earned him the title of the Fort Smith Public School district-wide Teacher of the Year in the late 1990s and the Teacher of the Year in two Van Buren schools; Parkview 2006-2007 and Butterfield 2013-2014. Steve was preparing to begin his 28th and final year of teaching. Prior to teaching, Steve worked for Weldon, Williams, and Lick and ABF where he formed life-long friendships that he treasured. Steve was of the Christian faith and a diligent servant of his Lord Jesus Christ.
Steve is survived by his wife Tracy and his children Tristan and Trent Smothers and Gracie; his parents Robert and Anne Marion; his sister Connie Adrion and brother-in-law David; nieces Suzanne Lollis and Heather Aguilar; and nephews Ashley Humphries and Bryan Glosenger. He is preceded in death by his sister Marsha Glosenger.
A memorial service for Steve will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, August 8, 2022 at Van Buren First Baptist Church, officiated by Dr. Elliot Hays under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family asks that friends donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, an organization that Steve faithfully supported.