James Ronald Marrow (Ron or Ronnie), age 79, of Chicopee MA, passed away on April 24th, at Mercy Medical Center surrounded by his loving family, to the sound of one of his favorite artists, Kenny Rogers. Ron was born on July 16, 1944, in Etowah Tennessee to CJ and Evelyn (Dixon) Marrow.
Ron started his career working at Cape Canaveral as a mechanic where he worked in support of the first lunar mission. He then worked for and retired from Combustion Engineering, now ABB, for over 30 years.
Since 1980 Ron and family spent the better part of their lives in Massachusetts where he lived for 25 years in West Springfield and Longmeadow. Post retirement Ron and his wife Mary Ann relocated to Limerick, Maine where for the last 15 years, they lived on their beloved Lake Arrowhead. Ron had many passions and spent a lot of his time woodworking, gardening, fishing and traveling, until moving back to Chicopee, MA last year to be closer to family.
Ron was a wonderful husband, father, grandaddy, and friend to many. He had the biggest heart and was known for making friends wherever he went. He was always ready to lend a helping hand.
Ron was welcomed home on the other side by his parents CJ and Evelyn, his sister Linda Marrow and in-laws OT and Etoy (Drinkard) McDaniel.
Ron is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Mary Ann (McDaniel), his children Nicole Gois and husband Ivon of Falmouth, MA; Dean Marrow and wife Heather of Torrington, CT; Shelly Decoteau and husband Gary of Belchertown, MA; Trish Marrow and partner Tony Rowan of Chicopee, MA; and Tanya Field-Michaud and husband Rick of Pepperell, MA: his grandchildren Quill, Ryan, Meredith, Tyler, Carter, Kayla, Maddy, Bryce, Abby and Emily, Samantha, Roan and Maggie and great grandchildren Kai and Aoife. He also leaves his brother Steve and wife Val of Summerfield, FL; his sisters-in-law Linda and husband Tom of Franklin, NC; Annette and husband Troy of Oliver Springs, TN; and Lycia of Oak Ridge, TN, as well as so many other family members and loved ones.
The family is planning a Celebration of Life on Saturday July 13th, a few days short of Ronnie’s 80th Birthday. Ron did not wish to have a funeral but rather a party where people could gather and have a great time. We are debating whether we will honor some of his song choices! The Western Mass location and time is still TBD. Please reach out to family directly or on social media for more details. We look forward to seeing many of you and remembering Ron with the laughter and good sense of humor that he valued so much in life. Please visit www.GriseFH.com for online condolences.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of James Marrow to support cancer research and patient care at:
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
P.O. Box 849168
Boston, MA 02284
or via dana-farber.org/gift.