March 15, 1941 – Jan. 14, 2013

NATCHEZ — Services for Donald Orrin Marion, 71, of Natchez, who died Monday, Jan. 14, 2013, will be at 2 p.m. today at Jefferson Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Kramer officiating, assisted by Bryant Reed.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time today at the church.

Mr. Marion was born March 15, 1941, in Tupelo, the son of Randall and Reba Marion, the second of five children. He attended Mooreville High School and graduated from Oktibbeha Junior College and Mississippi State University. He received post graduate degrees from University of Southern Mississippi.

Mr. Marion was employed by the Natchez-Adams County School System for 30 years; first as a math teacher, then as director of computer operations and retired as assistant superintendent of finance. After retirement he became a member of the Natchez-Adams County School Board and was a math teacher at Trinity Episcopal Day School.

Mr. Marion was a member of the Rotary Club, Rotary Fellow and a member of the Santa Claus Committee. He was an active member of Jefferson Street United Methodist Church and served as an assistant Sunday school teacher for the E.C. Ward Class. Don was an avid sports fan, enjoyed fishing and traveling — especially taking cruises with friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother-in-law, William Griffin.

Survivors include his wife, Ann; two daughters, Janet “Jan” M. Kirkwood and husband, Jeff, and Kathryn “Kem” Kimbrell and husband, Jamie, all of Natchez; five grandchildren, Austin, Jordan, Kalin and Maddie Kirkwood and David Jeanson; three sisters, Marilyn Harris and husband, Ed, of Cincinnati, Ohio, Nancy McCollum and husband, Jerry, of Natchez and Susan Griffin of Starkville; one brother, Phil Marion and wife, Linda, of Shreveport; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Bill Johnson, Jim Kimbrell, Ralph LaMay, Jerry McCollum, Bryant Reed and Buddy Rhodes.

Special thanks to the staff in ICU, the staff the first floor at Natchez Community Hospital and to Dr. Barry Tillman, Dr. Jack Rodriguez and Dr. Roderick Givens. We could not have hoped for a more caring group.

Memorials may be made to Jefferson Street United Methodist Church, the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society, the American Lung Association or to a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.