John Wayne Marrs

John Wayne Marrs, 95, passed away Tuesday morning, April 12, 2022, at his home in Marble Falls, Texas. He was born on January 16, 1927, in Coleman, Texas, to Merlin Lee “M. L.”, and Alma Sula “Bootsie” Mayo Marrs. He was the third of eleven children.

John grew up during the Depression in Coleman, graduating from Coleman High School in 1945. After high school, he was drafted by the Army as a sharp shooter and served honorably in Panama until 1947.

John married the love of his life, Sammie Sue Miller, in 1947 in Coleman. They were happily married for 74 years. John and Sammie Sue lived independently in Marble Falls until his death. They had three children, eleven grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren.

John had a number of careers (custom wheat harvester, fireman, service station owner) until he went to work for Phillips Petroleum, where he worked for 35 years until he retired in Crane, Texas. After retiring, he worked as a dog catcher, delivered milk door-to-door, made and sold burritos, and assisted an electrician.

John’s interests spanned a wide range of subjects. As a young man, he learned ballroom dancing and became so proficient he was invited to come to Los Angeles to work at the Arthur Murray studio. An avid gardener, he loved sharing the bounty of his garden with others. His love of animals led to his owning Peruvian Paso horses and breeding and raising prize winning Nubian goats and Bantam chickens. His passion for dogs led him to own a variety of breeds. John also loved painting, and he copied Christian CDs and DVDs to share with others.

John was a man “after God’s own heart” and lived his life accordingly. He lived and shared his Christian life every day. He was a faithful member of the Christian Church and served as a Deacon and Elder for many years in Crane. He went to Haiti several times to preach and build orphanages and churches. In Crane, he built homes for those in need, provided food and clothing for the less fortunate, and enjoyed witnessing to anyone he met. He began a jail ministry in Crane that he continued until he moved to Marble Falls.

John is survived by his spouse Sammie Sue of Marble Falls, Texas; his son, Terrell Wayne (Sherri) Marrs of Bronte, Texas; daughter, Carla Sue (Jim) Hester of Marble Falls; and son, John Mark (Pat) Marrs of Carrolton, Texas; his brother, Donald (Melba) Marrs of Houston; and brother Robert “Bob” (Inez) Marrs of Eager, Arizona; sisters-in-law, Mary Sue Marrs and Barbara Marrs; grandchildren: James Hester, Matthew Hester, Hannah Hester Hutson, Mei Li Hester, Meikayla Hester, Sarah Marrs Greyson, Erin Marrs, Ariel Marrs, Jonathan Marrs, Molly Marrs Nguyen, Sam Marrs; and fourteen great-grandchildren.

John was preceded in death by his parents, M.L. and Alma Marrs; sisters: Mary Kennedy (Alburquerque), Lora Gene Awalt (San Angelo), Annette Marrs (Coleman), and Jannette Humphrey (Sedona), brothers; Mayo Marrs (Midland) and Jimmy Marrs (Lubbock).

A graveside service will be held at Marble Falls City Cemetery, Johnson Street, on Saturday, April 16, 2022, at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, 303 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2300, Chicago, IL 60601-5224.