Marshall Craig Metzger

Marshall Craig Metzger was known as many things to many people. He was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew him best, Marshall will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

was born on June 15, 1963 at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Florida. He was the son of Douglas and Virginia Metzger. Marshall grew up in Fort Myers, Florida and St. Petersburg Florida.

Craig was raised with one sibling and multiple step-siblings. He had a younger sister, Pam, and older step siblings including Bobby and Michelle. Craig was a quiet child, also happy to entertain himself if needed, or engage in fun with siblings and cousins.

Always considered a “good” friend to those he knew, Craig enjoyed a broad group of acquaintances and several very close friends during his lifetime. He was quick to embrace new people and help expand everyone's friend group. He never met a stranger. His best friend from childhood, Travis Chavis, remained a best friend until the end. Randy Lauser and Mike Trudell were two additional best friends made as he transitioned into adulthood and who remained by his side through his final days.

Craig worked hard to be a good father to his children and he did his best to fulfill their needs. He was blessed with three children, two sons, Christopher and Maddox, and one daughter, Morgan. They were the light of his life and truly who and what gave him purpose.

 Fortunately, Craig enjoyed what he did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, Marshall worked diligently and did his best to succeed in his career. His primary occupation was owner/operator of TaeKwonDo Center for Excellence. He was self-employed for the majority of his adulthood, working in commercial fishing, auto-sales, flooring, and commercial real estate. He always sought to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done.

He also enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. His favorite pursuits were dirt bikes, working on anything with an engine, spending time with friends and family, and watching his favorite sports teams win. He was content to enjoy his favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Craig found pleasure in sports. In high school, Craig wrestled. Recreational sports included TaeKwonDo and Cycling. Marshall was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he had the chance to do so. Tops on his list were Ray's Baseball and Bucaneers' Football!

Craig enjoyed traveling and time away on vacations. It was a chance for him to renew and relax, to visit new places and experience new things. Favorite vacations included taking his students to Europe to compete in TaeKwonDo and anytime he could make it to the Great Smokey Mountains.

Craig was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of his favorites was Tessa Mae, a Greyhound rescue. They were best friends for 6+ years. He knew every dog in his neighborhood and they always looked for him when they walked by, as they knew they would get a warm greeting, a enthusiastic scratch, and most likely, a treat!

Craig passed away on November 22, 2021 at home in Palm Harbor, FL. Craig fought a valiant and brave two-and-a-half year battle against colon cancer. He is survived by his children Christopher, Maddox, and Morgan; his mother, Virginia; his brother Bobby and his sisters Pam and Michelle. Services were held at Sylvan Abbey. He was laid to rest with his beloved Grannie, Mattie Mae Metzger at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park in Clearwater, Florida.

Simply stated, Marshall was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Marshall leaves behind him a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life he touched will always remember Marshall Craig Metzger.

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Marshall Craig Metzger, age 58, of Palm Harbor, Florida passed away on Monday, November 22, 2021.

Craig was born June 15, 1963 in Clearwater, Florida.

Craig is survived by his children, Christopher Lee Metzger (Mulberry, FL), Maddox Che Metzger (Chapel Hill, NC), and Morgan Richelle Metzger (Asheville, NC), his mother, Virginia Heise Sechrest (Seminole, FL), his sister, Pamela Spencer (Conyers, GA) and his brother, Robert Spencer, Jr (Tampa, FL).

A fifth-dan TaeKwonDo Master, Craig spent decades teaching and training with many members of the local TKD community. He ran a program for almost two decades in north Pinellas that became the TaeKwonDo Center for Excellence. This allowed him to combine his passions for business ownership, TKD, and helping grow and shape our community leaders of tomorrow.

In the last several years, Craig also begin a career in commercial real estate, which allowed him to put his lifelong expertise about the Tampa Bay area together with his desire to bring people together and help make connections.

In his leisure time, Craig enjoyed anything that was outdoors or had wheels on it. He was an avid cyclist who competed in many local events. In his last few years, he became very passionate about riding dirt bikes and could be found weekly on his dirt bike, getting dirty, laughing, and making new friends.

He loved heading out to the Dunedin causeway or the beach or a local park, just to watch the water, see a gorgeous sunset, hangout with his doggo, and revel in the beautiful weather that Florida offered.

A visitation for Marshall will be held Sunday, November 28, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 2853 SUNSET POINT RD, CLEARWATER, FL 33759. A funeral service will occur Monday, November 29, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, 2853 SUNSET POINT RD, CLEARWATER, FL 33759. A committal service will occur Monday, November 29, 2021 from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park, 2860 SUNSET POINT RD, CLEARWATER, FL 33759.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sylvanabbey.com for the Metzger family.