John Marra, Jr. 83, of Shinnston passed away on Monday, December 18, 2023 at his home with his family by his side. He was born in Shinnston on October 12, 1940 a son of the late John and Janice “Janie” Seamon Marra.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Lula Ellen Trickett Marra.
He is survived by his two sons, John Marra III and his partner Melissa D. Lazorick; and Shawn C. Marra and his wife Biacalla VanSant Marra; his grandchildren, Joanina “Joni” K. Edgell and her husband Christopher; John Marra IV and his partner Destiny Casada, all of Shinnston; Randal Scott Marra of Charleston; and Kassedi Marra of Grafton; his great-grandchildren, Camdyn J. Marra; Eli S. Marra; Sophia Casada; Tyson C. Edgell; and Deondre Edgell; his sister, Rose Marra Fluharty of Shinnston; his aunt, Nellie Hamrick and her husband Frank of Shinnston; he is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Janice Nevin and the late Thomas Nevin; Ann Marie Marra and Robert Hoover; Katherine Picarro and her husband Joe; Louie Mike Marra and his wife Lori; Michael Barbina and his wife Crystal; and great nieces, Elana Catherine Marra, and Theby Rose Gregory
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his step-son, Randy E. Marra; his brothers, Sam “Mooch” Marra; Louie Marra and his wife Joanne; Frank “Montana” Marra and his wife Gloria; and James “Billy Boy” Marra and his wife Marielana; and his brother-in-law, Don Fluharty.
More than a job, John had a passion for mining coal. He started his life in the coal business at 17 years old where he would hand load coal with his father. He was operating the miner machine the day that the Dawson Mine mined over one-thousand tons in a single shift. This record resulted in a special phone call from the President of the mines. John also served as Manager and Superintendent of mines during his career. He was the current owner and operator of Marra Mine Management.
John was also a great singer. He was known to sound just like famous artists like Elvis, Dean Martin, and Nat King Cole. From the age of four, John carried a scar on his head resulting from the Shinnston Tornado. There are not enough words to describe what John meant to his family and what his family meant to him.
In keeping with his wishes, cremation services were provided by Perine Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Online memories and condolences can be shared at www.perinefunerals.com
