Dr. Victor John Marma Jr.

Dr. Victor John Marma, Jr., was born in Queens, NY on June 13, 1937. He lived with his father, Victor John Marma, Sr., his mother, Lillian J Marma, and a grandmother. The family later resided in Great Neck, NY. He appreciated his upbringing on the streets of New York, and enjoyed the relationships built with friends playing stick ball and cards, later becoming a master poker player. His parents, both educators, placed great value on his education and the results were evident.

Victor, known affectionately as Vic or Vic-o, was a talented mathematician who graduated high school several years early at the age of 15. He attended Harvard University, graduating with a PhD in Mathematics in 1967 and worked as a Mathematics professor at several universities throughout his life including Florida State University, Indiana University, and Harvard.

He also served in the U.S. Army overseas in Germany from 1958 to1960.

He met the love of his life pursuing his other passion, basketball, during a pickup game with some college buddies.

A hippie at heart and in his fashion choices, he was always the life of the party. His colorful and long-haired presence and big, contagious smile commanded attention and brought entertainment. He loved music and good cinema. He was a connoisseur of fine wine. He sought to make connections with people and always encouraged deep thought and inner focus.

He used the magnificence of his brain in his later years to meditate and study innumerable resources about spirituality and the journey we all travel, coming to a very peaceful conclusion to this life, due to his faith and confidence in his spiritual pursuits.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Ardis Lorraine Nelson and his parents Lillian Marma of Tallahassee, Florida and Victor J. Marma, Sr., a US Army Major, WWII and Korea, last residing in Johnson City, Tennessee.

He is survived by his sister-in-law Carol E. Tuynman, brother-in-law Paul Nelson and his nieces Emily Gargiulo (husband Michael, and son), Anna Fader and Lorita Chung and family friends Holly and John Melendez; and their children, whom he referred to as “honorary grandchildren,” Faith, John Gregory, Destiny, Willie, Eloy, Joshua, Caleb, Mae and Lily.

He will be truly missed and fondly remembered by those who loved him.

"Another renowned Harvard gambler was Vic Marma who invented a brand of poker known from Dartmouth to Princeton as Miami Marma."

Gruson, K. (1967, March 24). Harvard on $500 a night The Harvard Crimson.

A Private Committal Service and Interment will be held at Mountain Home National Cemetery with military honors to be rendered by the DAV Honor Guard Post #39 of Bluff City and members of the Army National Guard.

The family of Dr. Victor John Marma, Jr. is in the care of Monte Vista Funeral Home & Memorial Park.