John Michael Marr

It is with great love and respect that his family announces the death of John Michael Marr on May 16, 2025, in Wilmington, North Carolina. He was born in Fayetteville on October 22, 1938, the only child of John Vance Marr, Jr., and Mitchell Stewart Marr.

Mike was a 1956 graduate of Fayetteville High School, where he excelled in football, was a baseball team captain, participated in theater, and was voted “Most Athletic” in his senior class. A North Carolina All-State football player, he played in the 1955 Shrine Bowl and, after graduating, attended Duke University on a football scholarship. Mike went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in economics from Presbyterian College, where he also played football, and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Economics from Clemson University.

In 1959, he married the love of his life, Anna Greene, and cherished her big, wonderful family as his own. Mike’s academic career took them throughout the Carolinas—from Presbyterian College to Clemson University to Western Carolina University to the University of South Carolina. Also, to Elon College, where he was a tenured professor and chair of the Department of Accounting and Business, and was inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, and finally back home to Fayetteville, where he was Director of the Reeves School of Business at Methodist College and a devoted member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Among Mike and Anna’s happiest memories were enjoying campus life with their two young sons, who remember riding bikes alongside their bigger-than-life dad as he jogged the college track on beautiful autumn days.

Preceded in death by his wife and parents, Mike’s legacy of faith, perseverance, courage, and honesty will be honored by sons Michael (Julie) and Albert (Jane); his beloved grandchildren Yates (Emily), Italia (Mac), Ian (Blanche), Stewart, Hays, and Walter; and great-grandsons Michael, Penrose, and Augusto. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Walter Greene (Deborah); sisters-in-law Gladys Bris-Bois (the late Doug Bris-Bois) and Sylvia Greene (the late A.C. Greene, Jr.); and their families.

The family is very grateful for the extraordinary care provided by Lower Cape Fear Hospice. A graveside service will take place on May 31 at Lafayette Memorial Park in Fayetteville. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Presbyterian College, 503 South Broad Street, Clinton, SC 29325, or to an organization that is dear to you.

Arrangements are in the care of Rogers and Breece Funeral Home.