Marion Bozarth

Marion C. Bozarth, age 82, of Wharton, died Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007 at a Wharton hospital following a brief illness. He was born on Aug. 22, 1925 in Lockhart, a son of the late Samuel Cornelius Bozarth and Lela Ann Buchanan Bozarth.

He was reared in Lockhart and graduated from Lockhart schools, where he was captain of his high school football team, and Texas A&M University with a bachelor's degree in agriculture education in 1947. He married Betty Jean Massey on Aug. 26, 1946 in Yoakum. Mr. Bozarth served in the United States Marine Corps, earning his Honorable Discharge on Feb. 7, 1946. He had obtained the rank of corporal. Mr. Bozarth was involved in three major invasions in the South Pacific during WWII. He worked in the agriculture industry in sales of fertilizer and pesticides for many years, for Olin Corporation for more than 30 years. He was Presbyterian by faith. In addition to his parents, Mr. Bozarth was preceded in death by his daughter, Twyla Ahrens; and brothers, N.B. Bozarth and Terrell H. Bozarth.

Funeral services will be held Monday, Dec. 17, 2007 at 10 a.m. from the Chapel of Wharton Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. Terry Bozarth and Rev. Debbie Cenko officiating. Burial will follow in the Lockhart City Cemetery in Lockhart.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby Kleas, Paul Fertch, Brian Bremser, W.D. "Mack" McMillon and Patrick Wearden.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Jean Bozarth of Wharton; sister, Hazel Klein of Fredericksburg; nephew, Terry Bozarth of Edna; and niece, Sondra Prather of Lockhart.

In lieu of flowers Mr. Bozarth requested donations to the American Cancer Society 204 Second St., Wharton, TX 77488; or the SPCA.

Funeral services are under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home.