Charles William Marmon - Obituary

Charles William Marmon, 89, passed away on December 3, 2025.

Born on May 13, 1936, in Memphis, Tennessee, Charles faced loss early in life with the passing of his biological father when he was a toddler. When his mother later remarried, he and his siblings were adopted by their stepfather, Thomas C. Marmon. Growing up in a dedicated military family, Charles spent his childhood on Army bases across the United States and abroad. These experiences broadened his worldview and instilled a deep respect for service. Following in his stepfather’s footsteps, Charles joined the Army and served three years, including time during the Korean War. Though he was proud of his service, he was also a lifelong pacifist, guided by a firm belief in peace and the value of human life.

After completing his military service, Charles settled with his parents in Maryland and enrolled at the University of Maryland, College Park using the GI Bill. While he did not earn a degree, he remained a lifelong learner, voraciously reading and studying topics ranging from finance and business to history and photography.

Following his time at the University of Maryland, Charles lived in San Francisco for several years - some of the happiest of his life. It was there that he met his future wife, Eileen. The couple eventually settled in Annapolis, Maryland, where they raised their family. Despite divorcing, Charles and Eileen remained connected after 34 years of marriage until her death in 2017.

Charles was an eccentric - curious, unconventional, and wholly himself. As a child, he loved art, and although he did not pursue it professionally, that creative spark remained part of his perspective throughout his life. By nature, he was a loner, more at home in solitude than in crowds, though he maintained a small circle of friends with whom he shared ideas and companionship.

He had a deep admiration for the finer things in life - Cadillacs, cloth table linens, adventure and travel, water views, and tailored suits. He will be remembered by those who knew him as a generous dreamer who firmly believed a person was only limited by their imagination.

Charles was predeceased by his mother, Lady Whitworth Marmon; his stepfather, Col. Thomas C. Marmon; his sisters, Patricia Sullivan and Mary Lou Hall; and his beloved dog, Yak. He is survived by his daughters, Kathleen Marmon and Gail Marmon Dehn; son-in-law, William Dehn; and two granddaughters.

Funeral and memorial arrangements will be announced by the family.