Carl Vernon Marrs

Carl Vernon Marrs, 90, of Rockdale departed this life peacefully on Monday, July 12, 2021, at home surrounded by family.

He was born in Cairo, Illinois, on Aug. 8, 1930, to the late John Franklin Marrs and Hattie Marie (Frank) Marrs. He was the youngest of 10 children.

He grew up helping the family by delivering milk, worked in an ice house and also worked as a gas station attendant.

He enjoyed fishing, camping, baseball, bowling and spending time with his family.

In 1948, he enlisted into the U.S. Air Force at the young age of 18. Carl did his basic training in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

When he went back to Cairo on leave, he went on a blind date where he met the future Mrs. Beulah Irene (Schultz) Marrs. They were married on Aug. 5, 1949.

During the early years of their marriage, they were stationed at Scott AFB, Illinois, where their first child, a son, Michael Lee Marrs was born. They later were transferred to Gunter AFB, Alabama, where their daughter, Patricia Lynn (Marrs) Nowlin was born.

Carl spent most of his career in the Air Force working in support and transportation. On Aug. 1, 1973, he was stationed at Kirkland AFB in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he retired as assistant IG of nuclear safety.

During his tenure with the Air Force, Carl was awarded the United Nations Medal, Longevity Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

After his retirement, Carl dedicated 20 years to the Houston Police Department as a K-9 handler in the bomb detection unit. In 1983, Carl and his partner, Champ, were honored in the 100 Club for the detection of bombs planted at an oil refinery on the Houston ship channel.

Carl was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and will be deeply missed by all.

Carl was preceded in death by four brothers, Orville Marrs (Eva), Albert Marrs, Frank Marrs (Lucille), and Ernest Marrs (Bernice); and five sisters, Christine Duncan (Red), Juanita Talley (John), Bertha Grigsby (Aaron), Florence Vaughn (Joyce) and Edna Hipps (James).

He was also preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Beulah Irene (Schultz) Marrs.

He leaves behind a son, Michael Lee Marrs and wife Rebecca of Georgetown; a daughter, Patricia Lynn (Marrs) Nowlin and husband Alan of Rockdale; his grandchildren, John C. Armbruster and wife Gretchen of Commerce City, Colorado, David A. Nowlin and wife Stevie of Rockdale, Michael C. Nowlin of Rockdale, and Dana Miller of Commerce City, Colorado; and his great-grandchildren, Jerrid, Brooklyne and Hanna Armbruster, Logan, Austin, Nick and Aerith Nowlin; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, Aug. 9, at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver, Colorado, shelter “B” at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.