Joseph E. "Red" Marron

Joseph E. “Red” Marron, 82, an outstanding floor covering retailer since 1963 in the Richardson, Plano and North Dallas area, passed away on January 6, 2016 in Colleyville, Texas. Red was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 9, 1933 and in 1951, graduated High School in Paxton, Illinois. His smiling and joyful Irish personality were a ray of sunshine to his family, friends, and business associates throughout the years. He was President of the Western Floor Covering Association in 1979, and Chairman of the Board in 1980. He was nominated and elected “Outstanding Retailer of the Year” by the floor covering industry press in 1979, and was so honored at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, Illinois.

Red served with distinction in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was stationed on two destroyers: The USS O'Hare and the USS Black. He was proud of the Navy, his uniform and his country. He was also a lifetime member of the VFW.

An avid flying enthusiast, Red started flying in 1957 and bought his first airplane in 1958. From then on he was involved in aviation and hot air ballooning. He was a member of the AOPA (Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association) & EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association). In 1995 he co-organized an RV Fly-In bringing it to Las Cruces, New Mexico and then to Santa Teresa, New Mexico. This Fly-In has grown to be the largest in the country as well as New Mexico. It was voted “Best Fly-In” in New Mexico by the New Mexico Department of Aviation. Red was well known throughout the United States, and his firm, Red Marron Floors was a visible name in the community. Red later retired to Mimbres, New Mexico. He built his home and with fellow airplane enthusiasts built a hangar and private landing strip. He enjoyed the wonderful Southwest New Mexico lifestyle and the mountains.

Survivors: He is survived by his daughter, Amy Marron Rakoczy and her husband, Joe, of Colleyville, Texas. He is also survived by his brother, Mike Marron and his wife, Bonnie.

The visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, January 8, 2016 at Lucas Funeral Home in Grapevine, Texas. A service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 9, 2016 at Lucas Funeral Home in Grapevine, Texas. The burial will take place at 9:15 a.m. Monday, January 11, 2016 at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.