Louis Marzuola, Jr., 97, Ponca City, Oklahoma, passed away February 7, 2024, following his wife of 72 years who passed six weeks prior. He was born the first son and sixth of eleven children born to Italian immigrants Luigi and Elisabetta Ricci Marzuola on August 10, 1926, in Haileyville, Oklahoma. He passed peacefully to his eternal reward in Ponca City, Oklahoma, surrounded by loving family. Louie always took great pride in being “The World’s Best Papa” and worked hard to fill that role as long as he could. The love and passion of all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren are testaments to his efforts.

Louie graduated from Haileyville High School, Haileyville, Oklahoma. He married Maxine Ann Warren on July 28, 1951, and started what would be a 72-year marriage that welcomed three children, seven grandchildren and fifteen greatgrandchildren. In 1955, they moved to Shawnee, Oklahoma, for his job with the Rock Island Railroad and raised their family in Shawnee. They remained there until 2017 when they relocated to Ponca City, OK.

He worked for the CRI&PRR (“Rock Island Railroad”) first as a brakeman and later as operating engineer from 1944 to 1980. He drove the last engine into the RIRR yard in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Afterwards he worked for the MKT and subsequently, the Union Pacific Railroad, where he ended his railroad career on October 26, 1989. He then began what would be a very long and successful retirement doing many of the things he loved most: fishing, hunting, gardening, woodworking and grandkids!

His lifelong love of the outdoors with hunting and fishing continued late in life, taking his last deer at age 94. He also enjoyed cultivating a large garden every summer and producing wonderful vegetables to share with friends and family. In later years, he developed a fondness for woodworking and built a number of pieces of furniture. His best product was a group of children’s tables and chairs that were crafted from the wood of a pecan tree which was downed by a tornado in 1998. Over the years, he proceeded to make one for each of his seven grandchildren for them to use with their own children. More than anything, Louie and Maxine were fiercely devoted to their family. They were the consummate grandparents and spared nothing in order to support each of their grandchildren in whatever ways they could, including flying halfway across the country from Gainesville, FL, to Oklahoma City, OK, to see two graduations in one day in 1996!

Louie proudly served his country in the US Army near the end of World War II.

He was a longtime member of First Christian Church, Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Louie was a willing volunteer and served in a number of positions for the N.A.R.V.R.E. (National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees, INC) in support of his work on the Rock Island and Union Pacific Railroads. He frequently volunteered for projects at First Christian Church Shawnee, especially the Ground Hog Dinner day every February 2.

Louie is survived by his three children: JuliAnn Marzuola (Corky Reese), St. Petersburg, FL; Sheila Rose (Gary), Midwest City, OK; and Randol Marzuola (Jocelyn); two sisters: Mary Jane Gigoux, Lone Tree, CO, and Nancy Marzuola, Minneapolis, MN; seven grandchildren: Jennifer Gilby (Jon), St Petersburg, FL; Renee’ Marzuola, Tulsa, OK; Denise Rose (Bryan Hebert), Austin, TX; Melissa Howard (Jim), Prosper, TX; Jeremy Marzuola (Ingrid), Carrboro, NC; Michael Rose (Whitney), Bixby, OK; and Allison Mahaney (Tom), Port Angeles, WA; 14 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine Marzuola, his parents, six sisters and two brothers, and his great-granddaughter Addalyn Ann Bourasaw.

A memorial service will be held at 1 pm, Monday, March 4, 2024, at Resthaven Memorial Park, Shawnee, Oklahoma, preceded by a private family burial ceremony. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following in his memory: https://secure.osugiving. com/s/giving?dsgt=28-32110 for The Addie Bourasaw Memorial Endowed Scholarship Addalyn “Addie” Bourasaw - ChadTough Defeat DIPG

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