Dr. Marlon C. Rico Jr. passed away peacefully with his wife Beth by his side on Jan. 30, 2017, in Gulfport, Mississippi.
He was preceded in death by father, Marlon C. Rico Sr.; mother, Annie Belle Rico; sister, Dorothy McCormick; daughter, Ann Rico; and beloved pets, Rowdie-Man, Miss Annie, Lou-Lou, Pilot and C-Tob.
He leaves behind his wife of 30 years, Beth Rico; his son, Guin Rico; daughter, Lisa Presley; niece, Pam and Mike Brunson; Beth’s family, William L. Corbin Jr., Bill and Seresa Corbin, Lani Litchfield and family, Lee and Jodi Corbin, and Beverly Pourciau and daughters, Haven, Camryn and McKaylee.
Marlon earned a BS degree in Business Administration from Delta State, MBA from the University of Southern Mississippi, and was a Phi Kappa Phi Doctoral graduate of Mississippi State University in Marketing.
Marlon retired from the University of North Alabama as a Professor of Marketing. Marlon had an undeniable love for teaching and flying that led to his becoming an accomplished pilot with over 8,000 hours of flight time. His Gold Seal Flight certificate expired the day he passed away. Through the years he taught over 100 flight students, (Private through Multi-engine Flight Instructor).
Beth would like to thank a very special and dear friend, Judy McCreedy, for her care and compassion, and for always being there to help her in any way to care for Marlon over the past five months. Thank you to all of the wonderful health care professionals that gave him such good care. This includes Dr. and Mrs. Melson, Dr. Clark, Dr. Mann, Dr. Holden, Dr. Minetree, Dr. Payment, Dr. Allison Wall, the staff at Memorial Hospital, and Canon Hospice in Gulfport, Mississippi, for their week of attentive and constant care, and Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, Mississippi for making many arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dr. Marlon C Rico Jr. Aviation Scholarship, c/o Delta State Foundation, P. O. Box 3141, Cleveland, MS 38733 or Friends of the Animal Shelter in Hancock County, 7175 Texas Flat Rd, Kiln, MS 39556.
