Mike Marlow

Michael David Marlow (Mike), 54, passed away in his home in Richland, OR on April 21, 2018.  A Celebration of Mike's Life and Potluck  will be held  on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 4 p.m. at the Eagle Valley Grange (ol' Richland School house, on Moody Road)

The week before his death he was able to spend quality time with his family sharing laughter and tears before losing his battle with cancer. Mike was born on January 24, 1964 in Portland, OR to Glenn Monroe Durkee and Sherry Sue Schroeder. Mike was a hard-working man who valued his family. He met his first wife, Lori Jean Schulz, in middle school in 1977. They were married for 27 years, from 1985 - 2012. While living in Washougal, WA, they had 3 children: Amanda Jo, Michael Patrick, and Alicia Suzanne. He worked in the maintenance department of Smurfet Newsprint Corporation of Oregon City, and quickly worked his way up to maintenance manager of their 3 plants.  In 1991 he opened his first business, Family RV. in 1996 the family moved to Halfway, OR., where Mike worked for Richland Feed & Seed, and later learned to cut meat from Jerry & George Bryan at Old Pine Market. Mike built a butcher shop in 2001 and opened Pine Creek Custom Cutting, which he owned and operated for 14 years. In November of 2017, he married his loving partner of 5 years, Cindy O’Leary Marlow.  Mike’s family and friends will remember him for his witty sense of humor and contagious grin, his willingness to put others before himself, his ability to fix or build just about anything, his honesty, loyalty and humility. We will especially miss hearing his low, powerful voice singing cheerfully throughout the house and whistling while he worked.

Mike was an excellent butcher/meat cutter but hated killing. He loved animals and they loved him.  While living in Richland with his wife Cindy, he learned to ride his horse Copper.  He was a quick learner, had a good seat, and at 6’4” he was strikingly handsome sitting astride his thoroughbred horse. He had a rooster he called “Hank”, who would eat out of his hand and follow him anywhere. Mike had a favorite Herford heifer he named Rosy and even when he was very ill his goal would be to go outside and brush Rosy, the horses, and feed Hank his rooster. Mike enjoyed riding motor cycles with Mike Jr., camping, fishing, target shooting with all his kids, riding four-wheelers, gardening, and he adored his grandchildren’s visits. Mike was often heard to say that his children and family were his life.  Mike was known for his exceptional work ethic, speaking his mind, and loving deeply.

In 2013 Mike was contacted by a younger brother whom he had not known had been adopted out at birth.  He connected with his newly found brother Ben Keith, and wife Karen.  Mike was very happy to have gotten to know his brother Ben and both regretted not having had more time to spend getting to know each other’s families.

Near the end of his life, Mike left a word of advice for his loved ones: 

 “Work hard to keep happiness alive and be good to each other. Make time for the things you love, push through the difficulty. You are stronger than you know.”  

Mike is survived by his wife, Cindy O’Leary Marlow of Richland, OR; his daughter Amanda Jo Garcia & her husband Enrique Garcia, of Scappoose, OR; his son Michael Patrick Marlow & his wife Elicia Marlow of Halfway, OR; his daughter Alicia Suzanne Martin & her husband Nick Martin of Grants Pass, OR; his  Step daughters Samantha Marks and Phoenix Thomas, and step son Cody Millhouse, grandchildren Emma Jean Molina and Nicholas Anthony Garcia, Peyton Lilly Marks, Austin Quinn Marks, Mia Millhouse, and Abby Millhouse; his brothers Ben Keith & Richard Scheck, and step sister Kandace Sheridan.  He is preceded in death by his grandparents Richard H. Schroeder (1976) and Susan E. White (2013); his parents Glenn Monroe Durkee (1995), Sherry Sue Sheridan (2016), and Step-Father Steven F. Sheridan (2015); his uncle Richard (Tom) Schroder (2009), his aunt Melody Ann Schroeder (1994), and his sister Susan K. Marlow (2016).

To honor Mike, a Mike Marlow Memorial Scholarship is being set up for those who do not intend to go to a 4 year college but would like to learn a trade instead. Donations can be made to this fund. Send checks to Cindy Marlow made out to Mike Marlow Memorial Scholarship at 43523 Old Foothill Rd. Richland, OR 97870  On line condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com