Marion died Sunday, December 8th at the VA Hospital in Seattle, Washington after a brief, unexpected illness. His passing was peaceful and painless. He shared with his daughter that he didn't want to die, but that he had made peace with his Higher Power, wasn't afraid and didn't want his passing to be a source of pain or sorrow for others. He was born 22 October 1948 in Falling Creek, North Carolina to Beatrice Gray and William Ervin Mumford.
He is survived by a daughter, Rachel Alanna Gray of Bellevue, Wa., an aunt, Sue Gray of Kinston, North Carolina, 2 brothers and 2 sisters from his father: Melvin Mumford of Orelia, Western Australia; Alphonzo Mumford of Salem, Oregon; Theresa Mumford of Charlotte, North Carolina; and Betty Jean (Mumford) Perry of Richmond, Virginia and numerous kin in Kinston, North,Carolina.
Preceding him in death are his mother, Beatrice (Gray) Dawson of Kinston, North Carolina, his father William Ervin Mumford of Fayetteville, North Carolina and his brother from his mother Bertram "Rags" Gray of Kinston, North Carolina.
As a young boy, he and his lifelong friend, Anthony Stewart, spent many Sundays at the Kinston Dragstrip avidly watching the race cars. This often meant a long 4 mile walk home.
Marion spent much of his life being of service to others.
He signed up for the Marine Corps in July of 1968 and was sent to Paris Island, South Carolina. He was in the 2nd Marine Division , 7th Battalion serving in the infantry near DaNang in the Viet Nam War. He qualified as an expert marksman and worked as a coach on the pistol range at Camp Stone Bay on returning stateside.
He attended South Eastern University's Business College.
His first firefighting job was with the Washington D.C. Fire Department. He had wanted to be a firefighter from boyhood.
After moving to Seattle, he joined the Seattle Fire Department working in West Seattle at Engine #36. On July 22, 1980 he received life-threatening burns while fighting a house fire and spent many months at Harborview Hospital. Because of the severity of his injuries, he was never able to return to firefighting.
Marion was a longtime friend of Bill W.
The family would like to thank our friends, the Seattle Fire Department, Seattle Firefighters Union Local #27, Marion's fellow friends of Bill W. and old family friends for their kindness, support and love. Thank you for letting us lean on you.