It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Marlin Earley, 82, of Woodway, died unexpectedly on March 6, 2025.
Memorial Service: 2PM Wednesday, March 19 at Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel.
Marlin was born on December 19, 1942, in Kerens, Texas to Helen (Murdock) and Alton Eugene Earley. He graduated from Kerens High School in 1961, where he was voted most handsome.
After graduating high school, he enlisted in the Army and became a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. Marlin accomplished amazing things in his life, but anyone who knew him knew that, aside from his family, this was his proudest accomplishment. He had a great love for his country, and he understood that freedom was not free. He valued the service of all who served before and after him and had unmatched patriotism.
After his time in the Army, he met the love of his life, Patricia (Everett) Earley – a spicy red-headed telephone operator in Athens, Texas. He thought his good looks would make catching her easy, but legend has it, she stood him up on their first date. She teased that he was always jealous because her car was faster than his, but he caught her somehow and they married in 1964. At the time of her death in 2022, they had been married 57 years. The 3 years he lived after she died were hard, but he overcame because he believed you should be strong when you are weak, brave when you are scared, and humble when you are victorious.
Marlin worked in the Power Generation industry for 60 years; 28 of those years were spent working at TXU, retiring as a Technical Services Superintendent. During those years he developed many cherished and lifelong friendships. Upon his retirement, he sat for and aced the Professional Engineering exam without any formal education other than the hours he had acquired in his basics, using the GI bill. He then started his own business, Power Control Systems Engineering, Inc. (PCSE), where he supplied employment needs of power plants. Many of his employees were from the cherished relationships he made over the years working in the industry. He was very particular about who he let represent PCSE and, if you ever worked for him, it is because he held you in high regard. He was also renowned in the industry for his ability to tune a plant – a job he did until the time of his death.
Marlin was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, and his wife, Patricia Earley. Those left to cherish his memory, his generosity, his one-of-a-kind loving-kindness are: his one and only child, whom he loved well for all of his life, Marlina Washington and her husband Lee Washington; grandchildren, Dylan Washington and wife Laura Lee; Jordan Corley and husband Clint, and Thalen Washington.
Marlin put his faith in the Lord at an early age, so we believe that he is with the Father. His faith became sight on Thursday, March 6th, and though we mourn and miss him, we rejoice that he has met the open arms of his Savior.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kerens Veterans Memorial Fund: P.O. Box 71, Kerens, Texas 75144.
Place of Service: Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel , 5201 Steinbeck Bend; Waco, TX 76708
Print Obituary & Condolences
Marlin was a school mate, although he was 3 years older than me. We both spent 40 years with TXU at different
power plants. I can’t say how much he meant to me. I was one of the many that worked with him after I retired from
TXU.
My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Marlin was a true friend and a great man.
Marlin was a great man whom everybody loved and respected. I only knew him for 46 years, but he was everything the obituary said he was and more. I’m sure he’s ready to be with Pat again. Rest in peace brother and I’ll see you again, soon. Semper Fi Joe Shotwell
it was such an honor and a blessing to have met you. Thank you for always being a great friend and for all the laughs thank you for the advice you always provided. I hope your family knows how much you loved and appreciated them all. You will be greatly missed my friend.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your father was a wonderful man. Keeping you and your family in my prayers.
Jim Stamper
Marlina and Family….
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this unexpected moment in time.
Marlin was a one -of-a-kind great guy and friend. We greatly appreciated his friendship.
Marlin and Pat together were the most fun friends to have had the pleasure of knowing.
Sincerely,
I am so sorry about the loss of Marlin.
I was a classmate of his from first grade.
Marlin was always a handsome young man. He was always very polite, and a favorite of our classmates. Marlin was always a very smart guy, and made A’s.
Marlin will be dearly missed by his former classmates.
Marlin and I worked together for 34 years. Marlin had the finest technical mind of anyone that I have ever worked with. Although it’s been a number of years since I’ve seen Marlin, it was quite a shock to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and friends.
Sincerely
So sorry to hear of Marlin’s passing. He was always such a nice man who made you feel comfortable the first time meeting him. He sure loved Pat and his sweet Marlina. Praying for family and friends through this difficult time.
Wendell Shotwell, Marlin was a great friend. After retiring from Luminant in 2011. I started working under Marlin as a contractor PCSE. I worked for him until 2023. I met Marlin around 1973 at Tradinghouse. A great person.
So many of us here in Durango meant you and Pat and became instant friends with all of us. There definitely were some great times usually with food and lots of libations. Thank you for all your kindness and friendship. Will truly miss your potatoe salad.
Rest in peace
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
God bless you all, Donna and Gary Hromadka
Dear Marlina and family- your father was always so kind and friendly, always interested in hearing how I was doing. I treasure the memories of visiting he and your beautiful mother in your childhood home, they made me feel like part of the family. And he certainly was a handsome gentleman who served his country with pride. We are praying for you all!
We met Marlin in Fredericksburg at the Crossroads Club. He was sitting by himself and it appeared he didn’t know anyone there. We asked him to come sit at our table and that was the beginning of a lasting friendship. We would always contact each other when either of us was going to be in town and we spent a lot of time together over the years. He was one of the nicest people to be around and he will be greatly missed.
“In the wake of such a loss, we’re haunted by things we don’t…and may never…understand. Yet the solace we seek may not come from answers…so we look for comfort in the belief of love’s everlasting connection. May that love lift you, hold you close, and give you peace.”
I send my deepest condolences. It was a pleasure meeting him while caring for Patricia.
I was friends with Marlin and run around with him several years, he was a great guy and will be missed
Marlina, we are so incredibly sorry for the loss of Marlin. We know how much he meant to you, and we can only imagine how heartbreaking this must be. Losing a father leaves a void that no one else can fill, but we hope you can find some comfort in the love, lessons, memories he left for you and the fact that he is now with Mrs. Earley again. God Bless you and all who loved Marlin.
Sonny and the Constellation Staff.
Marlina and Lee,
Sam and I are so sorry for this incredible loss. We are praying for peace and comfort for you all in the coming days. We love you both,
Wendy and Sam
Marlin will be missed. He touched my life in so many ways it’s hard to describe here. A friend, a business associate, a trusted partner, and a mentor. It was a symbiotic relationship on trust, respect and most of all, a mentor. He helped me even when i didnt know i needed it, and damn sure stood up to help when i did.
If anyone is to look at what real man should be, this is the guy you would want to aspire to be. My life is better for knowing someone like Marlin.
Love you buddy, you will be missed.
Marlina and Family
The Sanchez Family would like to convey our deepest sympathy for the loss of your father. I pray that Marlin is sitting next to his bride smiling the way only Marlin could.
Marlin was a great mentor and friend of whom I had the honor to have worked with. The best memory of Marlin over the years was just how no nonsense and straightforward he was. I will truly miss Marlin. He was always a friend first before anything else. No words can express the impact Marlin left with those he worked with. He was the epitome of what every man should strive for. I will miss you my friend but never forget you.
Marlina God Bless you and your family as you walk through this difficult time.
So sorry for your loss. I enjoyed working with Marlin. He was always easy to talk to, and always willing to help. We are going to miss his knowledge and experience. He had a big impact on our plants and mines. We will keep you in our prayers.
Sure will miss Marlin no longer being here with us. He was a wonderful friend and I loved working with him. We have some wonderful memories. Deb and I sure enjoyed spending time with Marlin, Pat , and Marlina back in 2012 in Colorado. The service was so meaningful and we wish for all of you God’s comfort and peace.
I was unable to attend Marlin’s funeral but have thought of him often in the past few days. He and my brother, Larry, were food friends and played football together at KHS. Marlin lived just a clod throw from us and, when he and Larry let me listen in or be around, I was with the Big Boys. Marlin was one of the first I recall into weightlifting. He had an old bench and some iron weights out back. He encouraged me to get into the sport and I did. It is a part of physical fitness I still practice. I always enjoyed catching up with him usually at Homecoming or the Memorial Day event. I know it is a sad time for his family, but I also hope they know what a fine person he was and the great legacy he left behind. I was honored to know him.