Marion Martin Derenburger

Marion Martin Derenburger passed away at home on November 7, 2017. Born June 1, 1928 to Roy and Alta (Robuck) Derenburger, Marion came to Arizona in 1950 by way of Montana. He was a real cowboy whose passion and skill to break broncs began on his family’s ranch. They raised some of finest horses in Montana. Marion served in the Navy during WWII and was honorably discharged after the war. Marion represented the Navy as a Golden Gloves boxer during his time of service.

In his early years, Marion competed in saddle bronc riding at ARA sanctioned rodeos. Marion was an ARA saddle bronc-riding champion in three different years and runner-up in many other years. Later, Marion transitioned from saddle bronc riding to calf roping before switching to team roping. Marion continued to rope and ride into his eighties. Marion met Irene Schell at the world’s oldest rodeo held in Prescott, Arizona. They were married, raised three daughters and celebrated life for more than forty years before Irene passed away in 1992. There is joy in knowing that they are once again dancing in heaven like they did on earth. Marion met and married Jackie (LaRue) Draper in 1995 and enjoyed twenty plus years of each other's company before his death.

Marion's generosity of spirit, love of life, and fabulous sense of humor will be missed by all of those who knew him and loved him. Marion is survived by many: his wife of twenty-plus years, Jackie LaRue; his brother, John Derenburger; three daughters (Cathy Young, Judy [Ed] Marty, Lisa [Steve] Neubert); seven grandchildren (Matthew Young, Shawn [Jessica] Marty, Christel Young, Brett [Shandrika] Marty, Kelly Bright, Emily Neubert and Olivia Neubert); and thirteen great grandchildren (Austin Young, Aleca Sayler, Jacob Marty, Trevor Marty, Hunter Marty, Cantrell Young, Taylor Young, Ezra Marty, Luke Marty, Emma Marty, London Young, Brock Marty and Landry Young); and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. Marion was a loving father, husband, grandfather and friend.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Irene; his parents; his sister Daisy Gowan; his brothers Ronald Derenburger and Roy Derenburger, Jr. A celebration of life service will be held graveside at 1:00 p.m., Monday, November 13th at Phoenix Memorial Park, 200 West Beardsley, Phoenix, Arizona 85027.

Arrangements under the direction of Advantage Golden Door Chapel, Youngtown, AZ.