Gail Wright Marion

Gail Wright Marion, 70, of College Station, passed away at Hospice Brazos Valley on Wednesday morning after a vigorous battle with cancer. A time to receive friends will be held from 5-7 PM on Friday, July 11, 2014 at Memorial Funeral Chapel in College Station. A memorial Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, July 12, 2014 at 9:30 AM at Memorial Funeral Chapel, Rev. John Reasons, Senior Pastor at A&M United Methodist Church officiating. A reception will follow at A&M United Methodist Church in College Station.

Gail was born on November 14, 1943 to Capt. Allen and Doris Wright in Memphis, TN. Capt. Wright was killed flying the “Hump” into China five weeks later. She grew up in Dyersburg, TN with her brother and sister and many cousins. She attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO in 1961-1962. She later graduated from Western Texas College in Snyder, Texas with an Associate Degree in General Business in 1982. She was employed at Aggieland Credit Union until her retirement in 2006. Gail was an active member, leader, and officer in the United Methodist Women and in the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 159. She served as treasurer for both organizations for many years. She was a lifetime Methodist.

Gail was a devoted wife and mother. Gail’s life was represented by her love of children and her constant volunteerism. She was actively involved in her grandchildren’s lives, be it various church events, sporting events, stock shows, school activities, or vacationing. She gave many hours to a multitude of volunteer projects within UMW and Legion Auxillary. Her selfless giving is how most will remember Gail. One of the highlights of her life is when she was invited by the Peoples Republic of China as their guest in a gesture of friendship to Americans and a thank you for her father’s service to China in the American Volunteer Group, “The Flying Tigers”. Her aunt, uncle, and husband accompanied her on this ten day tour of China in 1996.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Capt. Allen Murray Wright and Doris Rebecca Ozment, her brother, Michael Avison, and a son, CPT Paul E. Marion.

Gail is survived by her husband of 31 years, David P. Marion; her son, David A. Albin of Odessa; her daughters and sons-in-law, Becky and Tom Rees of Sweetwater, Kathy and Phillip Fisher of Bryan, and Raye Leigh and Jonathan Stone of College Station; her brother and sister-in-law, Dick and Dorothy Avison of Olive Branch, MS; her sister and brother-in-law, Betsy and Ed Melancon of Lafayette, LA; her ten grandchildren, Loren, Sarah, Julia, Taryn, Spencer, Allyson, Jessica, Sophia, Alathea, and Joshua; and her great granddaughter, Zady, and numerous loving relatives and many friends who will miss her dearly.

Special thanks to Hospice Brazos Valley for the care and support in both at-home and in-patient care they provided, as well as support for the family. She may have lost an earthly battle but she is now singing with all the Saints in Glory.