Peter 'Officer Pete' Marion, 63

Pete was born to William and Wilma Marion on June 9, 1951. He moved to Post Falls from Long Island, N.Y., in 1980, and married Gwen Bray in 1985; they were married for 12 years. Gwen and Pete received the biggest gift of their married life in 1990 when they welcomed their son, Mickey.

Pete began working for the Post Falls Police Department in 1982. He moved up the ranks from dispatcher, patrol, detective, and became the region's first School Resource Officer. Pete touched the lives of thousands during his service with the PFPD. Nearly everyone who knew him has a "Pete story" to share, often about how far out of his way he went to serve.

Pete retired from the PFPD in 2007. He was hired as the Event Coordinator and Marketing Director at Cabela's that same year, where he served until his death on Aug. 11, 2014.

Pete had many passions in his life. He owned more than 100 RC nitro airplanes, building some from scratch with his son, Mick, and wrecking half together. Pete went through a gourmet cooking phase where the TV never left the Cooking Channel. After he tired of that, Pete dove into fishing, nearly putting Cabela's out of business by buying up all their inventory, then spent time on area lakes putting it to use. Anyone who joined him on the boat with his fishing buddy Don Blackmore never knew if the two were friends or mortal enemies.

Pete's biggest passion was his son, Mick. Those close to Pete knew how he lit up when talking about his son through the years, particularly when Mick joined the Navy to serve our country by working with airplanes on the USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS Ronald Reagan. Pete was excited about Mick's new life with his soon-to-be-bride, Ariana, who made him an instant grandpa with little Zya.

Pete was preceded in death by his father, William Marion; and stepdad, Robert Schmeltzle. He is survived by his son, Mick, of Virginia Beach, Va., stepson Dylann DeBlasio, and stepdaughter Nicholl DeBlasio; his mother, Wilma, sister Kathy Yuill and brother Tim, all of Long Island, N.Y., brother Tom of West Virginia; and ex-wife, Gwen McLeod.

In his final wishes, Pete requested that there be no memorial service. However, we would like to celebrate his life and keep his memory alive. We know that many of you have stories about Pete and how he touched your lives. Those willing to share stories and photos are asked to submit them to lkast64@gmail.com by Sept. 15, 2014. The stories will be compiled into a memory book that will be gifted to Pete's son, Mick.

Mick wishes to thank the Post Falls Police Department, Post Falls Cabela's, the Post Falls School District, and the many individuals who have offered support during this time.