Floyd Roland Marriage, 75, a resident of White Signal, NM, passed away at the VA Medical Center in Tucson, AZ on May 16, 2023, following an extended battle with cancer.
He was born April 27, 1948, in Missoula, Montana to parents Raymond Arthur Marriage and Bonnie Buckley Marriage. His early introduction to, and love of the outdoors began with daily walks as he was carried by his mother along the banks of the Clark Fork River.
Floyd's early education took place in Three Forks and Sheridan, Montana and the U.S. Territory of Guam. At age nine, he was a full-fledged scuba diver and enjoyed diving from his parent's outrigger canoe off the coral reefs in a paradise of tropical fish. He was an experienced hiker from his earliest years. Before coming to New Mexico, he traveled with his family, visiting Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, and Alaska.
He graduated from Silver High School in 1966 and joined the U.S. Navy. He was assigned to the carrier ship, USS Princeton where he served four years with distinction as a Signalman First Class during the Vietnam Campaign. Aiding with the evacuation of wounded and deceased soldiers, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Following his service, Floyd attended the Lincoln Welding School in Cleveland, Ohio. Upon returning to Silver City, he met and married his best friend of 50 years, Betty Nicholson. Floyd and Betty are the parents of three children, Nicole Kelly Hickle, Ramona Marriage Redwine and Patrick Lucas Marriage (deceased). He worked for 24 years as a boilermaker at Kennecott Copper and Phelps Dodge. He was an active member of the Valley Community Church, and a member of Grant County's Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 358.
Floyd's interest in southwestern archeology led him to study anthropology at New Mexico State University. A Dean's List student, he was awarded a Crimson Scholar and was recognized as a Who's Who for multiple years. As part of the program, he was invited by Ted Turner and Jane Fonda to take part in a summer field school on the Ladder Ranch where he was involved in the study of a significant Mimbres Heritage Site. His love of exploration, research, and respect for the Mimbres and other regional cultures, was recognized by all who knew him and was deeply instilled in his children.
He spent countless hours working on the family property and restoring his vintage cars. He also had a fondness for Harley Davidson motorcycles, Hawaiian shirts and the family chihuahuas. He was a strong-willed man with a big heart and a wonderful sense of humor. He was a walking encyclopedia full of knowledge gained from all of his life experience and exceptional memory. Through to the end, he was loyal and brave, he carried himself with dignity and courage as he went on to his next adventure; the great treasure trove in the sky. Who better than Floyd to discover what is really over the rainbow?
You will be missed, Floyd Marriage, until we meet again in the infinity of time and space that is Heaven.
He is preceded in death by his father, Raymond Arthur Marriage, stepfather, Librado Maldonado, brother, Dennis Patrick Marriage, son, Patrick Lucas Marriage, son-in-law Michael Neil Redwine and uncle Michael Buckley.
His is survived by his loving wife, Betty Nicholson Marriage, daughters, Nicole Kelly Hickle and Ramona Marriage Redwine, mother Bonnie Buckley Maldonado, Sister, Bridget Maldonado Sakells (Dean), uncles Patrick and Jerry Buckley, grandchildren Michael and Christopher Marriage and Camryn and Emily Hickle, nephew Shayne Marriage (Shauna Lovvorn) and dear friends, Rodger McMillan, Mary Nell Leyba, Mike Holloway, Ernie Davenport and Steve Armendariz.
A graveside service is scheduled where his ashes will be interred at Fort Bayard National Cemetery on Friday, June 9, 2023 at 11:00AM. There will be a celebration of life at Whiskey Creek Zocalo, (11786 US-180 East, Arenas Valley, NM) following the service.
Cremation will take place at Terrazas Crematory. Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory "Trust care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.