Marc Eugene Bettius

Marc arose from humble beginnings through his relentless work ethic, intelligence, and effortless charisma. He found his passion as an attorney after graduating first in his class at Washington College of Law at American University, focusing much of his career in the area of zoning and land use. The cases spanning his long career shaped the Northern Virginia landscape that still exists today, including landmark work on behalf of the Attorney General of Virginia for which he held a distinct point of pride. Dubbed “the Golden Greek” in an article that he pretended not to thoroughly enjoy—he was loved by clients, feared by opponents, respected by judges…but in all cases, certainly not forgotten.

An even longer list of people will remember Marc from the golf course. In Virginia, Florida, and North Carolina, tee sheets will forever be a little less exciting without his name listed. Golf buddies will miss the one person that made you wish you had more than 18 holes to play together, and golf staff will miss the member that treated them like family and always craved some good natured trash talking. Marc leaves behind by enough golf clubs, putters, shoes, and bags to stock a pro shop.

Marc is survived by his wife Karon, his daughters Alisa and Alex (Kurt), two grandchildren and a long list of dear friends through whom Marc will live on through countless stories, cherished memories, and unbelievable tall tales that could only be true if you were lucky enough to know him.

A funeral service will be held on January 14 at 11:00 am at Murphy Funeral Home, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Inova Schar Cancer Institute, where Marc received the treatment, care and attention that you hope and wish for, for someone you love.

We find comfort in knowing that Marc passed in the same way he lived, on his terms. He lived a full life, or in his own words, “the lives of three men,” and spent the last decade the happiest he’s ever been. If you have seen Marc in the past 10 years, he undoubtedly told you what he’s been telling us every day recently—“I’m the luckiest guy in the world,” and because he was never one to let something sad get in the way of a good laugh…“I told you I was sick!”