MARION McCORD

Marion McCord departed this life on December 23, 2020. He fought a valiant battle against prostate cancer for the last nine years.  We are here today to celebrate his homecoming and legacy.

Marion was born on October 24, 1948 in Washington, Georgia to Clarence McCord and Elmira McCord. At an early age, Marion accepted Christ and became a member of the African Methodist Church.

Marion recognized the value of learning at an early age and dedicated himself to this passion. He recognized the curriculum and teaching material were not the same in his segregated Washington Wilkes High School.  His school received the old and outdated books from the system.  He met with the Wilkes County superintendent and voiced his concerns.  These concerns were not met, so he braved the challenge and integrated the local white only high school.  He graduated in 1967 in the upper ten percent of the class.

Marion attended Morehouse College from 1967 to 1971. Because of curiosity and love of science, he majored in Physics.  He received his Bachelor of Science in physics from Morehouse College, “the House” in 1971.

He did advanced studies in signal processing at the University of California San Diego. 

Marion worked for the Naval Ocean Systems Center in San Diego from 1971 to 2008. He worked as a scientist, project manager, and minority recruiting agent. As a recruiting agent he visited historic black colleges and universities and brought minority students and graduates to San Diego. As a scientist, he worked in underwater acoustics where he received a patent.

Marion was an active member of both the Alpha Phi Alpha and the Boule organizations. He has served as past president for the Alpha Phi Alpha. He also served as a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Sigma Lambda foundation which help sponsor the Martin Luther King Day parade, golf tournament, and Lincoln High School mentoring program.

After retirement, he became involved in community work. With his partner Norris Charles, they bought the Alpha Center which served the South East community by providing a place for meetings, catered meals, and special parties. Marion’s community work extended to becoming a member of the Diamond Business District.

Through his work and community service, Marion has received many accommodations and awards such as the 2018 Phi Omicron chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity celebration of fathers honoree, San Diego County combined Federal Campaign award, the Diamond Business Association’s Shine Bright award, and Spawar 30 year career award.

He is survived by Frances his devoted and loyal wife of forty nine years; one son (Omari Marion McCord); one daughter and son-in-law (Jennifer and Steve Brister);  a loving mother (Elmira McCord/Rucker); two brothers and sisters-in-law (Henry and Collen McCord) and  (Jimmy and Gloria McCord); four sisters and brothers-in -law (Eleanor and George Davis), ( Fannie and Ronald Bivins), (Marilyn and Kenneth Robinson), and (Mable and Donald Nunnally); and many beautiful and loving nephews and nieces; and a host of loving friends and relatives. 

The McCord family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude for the prayers, comforting messages, and other expressions of kindness and love shown to them during this time of sadness. May God continue to bless and keep each of you.

Very special thanks to Norris and Olga Charles for their constant expressions of love and support.  

A walk-through viewing for the Public on Monday, Jan. 4th, 2021 from 5pm-7pm at Anderson-Ragsdale Mortuary. Interment will take place at a later date in his hometown of Washington, GA at Resthaven Cemetery under the direction of Lofton Funeral Home, Newton, GA. 

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