In loving memory of Philip Eugene Marnon

Phil Marnon was a man of the people. And people knew, if they needed anything, they could rely on Phil to help them.

“Can I get you anything?”

“What do you need?”

“What can I do?”

Philip Eugene Marnon passed away on September 1, 2025.  Phil was born in Detroit, MI on March 8, 1942, the 6^th out of 10 children to John and Margaret Marnon. Few knew that he had been born prematurely and had suffered from lung problems his entire life. It was advanced COPD complications that ultimately cut his life short.

Speaking of short, he earned the nickname “Pee Wee” early in his career at Hazel Park Racetrack where he went to work at age 16. He eventually worked in the stables for Marion Van Berg, one of the nation’s leading thoroughbred horse trainers and owners at the time.  Phil was an exercise boy who raced horses around in the morning and a hot walker who walked horses after the races to help them cool down. He was recognized as the top exercise boy in the country receiving a horseshoe-shaped pin as an award. Phil (the name means “lover of horses”) told many stories about his time on the racetrack, including the time Mrs. Van Berg found out Phil had a brand-new baby sister, Donna, gave him some money and made him go to the store and get her a little dress. Even though he eventually returned to life in Detroit after 5 years on the racetrack, he never lost his love of horses, visiting many more racetracks throughout the country.

In December 1963, Phil married his childhood sweetheart, Alicia “Liz” Barton, who lived in the neighborhood. When he got drafted into the Vietnam War, they made plans to marry 2 weeks later. Fortunately, he did not pass the physical due to his lung/asthma issues and was sent home. He and Liz eventually bought a home in Wayne, MI to raise their family  and it is where they have lived for the past 58 years.

Phil spent 24 years driving semi-trucks in the local Detroit area, always home at night for his wife and growing family.

Phil finished his working career in 2004 when he retired from L&W Engineering in Romulus, MI.  His entire family, including children and grandchildren were at the company on his last day when the owners presented him with a 3-wheel bike, one of his favorite possessions in retirement.

Retired or not, Phil could never stay still.  He always had to be moving or busy. He took daily jaunts out on his new bicycle, often disappearing for hours at a time. It seemed like everyone in the neighborhood knew Phil, either for his talkative nature or just because they saw him on his bike. He would pick up cans to recycle, stop at 7-Eleven on Annapolis in Wayne to visit Mary and the other employees and buy his daily lottery tickets. He enjoyed playing the lottery and often received scratch-off lottery tickets for his birthday and at Christmas. His daughter said he always ran into somebody he knew wherever he went. And if he didn’t know someone, that was okay; he would talk to them anyway. He always had stories to tell to whoever would stop to listen.

Phil is survived by his wife, Alicia “Liz” Marnon, his daughter, Jacqueline “Jackie” Jones of Wayne, MI, and his sons Philip “Scott” (Stefani) of Juneau, AK and Robert “Bobby” (Carolyn) of Westland, MI. He is also survived by his grandchildren-John Marnon, Alicia (Marnon) Bauer (Ricky), Ross Jones (Jordan), Sara Jones, Jake Marnon, Sam Marnon and by his great-grandchildren, Landon, Riley, Brodie and Luna. He is also survived by 3 sisters-Gail, Rosemary and Donna and his brother, Eddie and multiple nieces and nephews.

Per his final wishes, Phil has been cremated and will have his ashes spread near a little church he loved visiting outside of Juneau, AK. There will be a Celebration of Life, but a date has not yet been determined.