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9 Entries
Jim Servoss
June 8, 2025
I was so saddened when I heard about Chris´s passing. We were classmates at St. Mary´s H.S. and we both graduated from OSU. Although not close friends I remember Chris as a being kind, humble, funny, athletic, great smile, and very competitive. He was very dedicated to help out at the family ranch during high school and he didn´t get to use his athletic abilities to participate a lot in sports which he was very good at (esp. football and basketball).
I lost touch over the years after college, but knew of his career in atmospheric science (I always thought of him as a weatherman) living in So. Cal. I would get brief updates from occasionally seeing one of the many Marlia´s in the Medford area (I moved back to this area in 1990). I´m so glad I went with Bill Leavens to Chris´s memorial at the family ranch in Eagle Pt. on June 7th. It was a great gathering of mostly family and relatives-there are many!! Great memories of Chris on display and meeting his wife and kids, seeing brothers and sisters and how everyone loved and miss him. I´m so sad he isn´t here any longer but his memories are with everyone who knew him, it was so obvious. Reading his obit I realize how similar our lives were (are), with wonderful children and grandchildren, being called "Papa" and great family!
I so appreciated the opportunity to be there at the historic family ranch and gathering to honor Chris. Thank you Teresa, Liz, and other family for doing this. Great time, food, beer, and catching up with many of the Marlia family.
Sincerely grateful,
Jim Servoss
Sally Corbett
July 5, 2024
How does one say goodbye to someone like Chris? For that matter, how does one imagine a world without Chris Marlia? I don´t know. I can tell you that my heart aches when I think of his passing. As Mary Oliver wrote in her poem "For Tom Shaw S.S.J.E. (1945-2014)":
Where has this cold come from? "It comes from the death of your friend."
I met Chris in 1975. I remember it clearly because it was the exact same day that I met my husband Tom. He and Chris were friends and shared an apartment in Corvallis, Oregon. Just like Jan and I. How´s that for luck! My dear friend Jan married Tom´s dear friend Chris! Through the years and across the miles we have remained great friends.
Chris was an exemplary person. The kind of man you would want your daughter to marry. He had integrity. He was honest, kind, thoughtful, capable, and had a great sense of humor. He could make you laugh, but never made jokes at the expense of others. It was so fun to spend time with him.
He was a good friend to both men and women, and his love for Jan was obvious for all to see. He knew how to be a really great dad. He respected and adored his daughters, and helped them to become the really cool people they are today. And then, when he learned that he had a son, he welcomed his son into his life as well. Not everyone has the heart and the courage do that.
He was as graceful and quick as a cat. I often thought he could have been a dancer, ice skater or a gymnast. He was a fierce competitor and can still hear his laugh as he beat someone at a game of Hearts or Backgammon.
Chris was a rare person, the kind of person you´re fortunate to meet only a few times in your life. I´m still trying to figure out how to get used to him actually being gone. Maybe you just get used to your heart hurting a little bit each day?
Will I always, from now on, be this cold? "No, it will diminish. But always it will be with you."
What is the reason for it? "Wasn´t your friendship always as beautiful as a flame?"
The poet Philip Larkin said; "What will survive of us is love". That´s what I´ll remember most about Chris - the love he exemplified and inspired.
June 20, 2024
Dale and I had such a lovely time with Chris and Jan last January. Chris was a kind, gracious and funny host, and we are grateful we had the opportunity to spend time together. Our hearts go out to my cousin Jan and daughters Lisa, Gemma and Tessa, and the extended family.
Big hug with love, Lisa
Hank & Patrice Jannace
June 19, 2024
I met Chris some 10 yrs ago when my wife, Patrice and I, were invited to participate in a monthly wine tasting group, headed up by Greg Bowman and friends. Soon after, Chris and I were part of the Bruin season ticket holders. We connected immediately. We usually sat together and discussed the game in front of us, but also about our past experiences and current family matters. I especially loved his deadpan sense of humor and his great insight. There were a few times he put me on the spot with poignant questions regarding my opinions. Simply, there are times he gave me pause regarding those opinions I held dear. I recognized that was a good thing in my life and was pleased that I found a friend like Chris to keep me on my toes. Patrice and I will miss that amazing smile and warmth generated to all by Chris. We miss him dearly.
Liz Marlia-Stein
June 16, 2024
Chris and I were just 17 months apart and there are so many memories I could share, but a few of my favorites are:
When we were younger, Chris would ask me to play chess with him because he knew I wouldn't say no, and he loved winning!
We love listening to music together, and when there was a contest on the radio who was most popular between the Beatles and the Monkeys, he chose the Beatles and I chose the Monkeys. I won! :) But that was in the early 70's when the Monkeys were at the height of their popularity.
We both love eating Parmesan Cheese out of our hands, eating orange peels, and admiring beautiful clouds. I am not one to get a tattoo, but to have him with me for the rest of my life, I decided to get a cloud with a heart on my ankle. I love you, sweet brother! I miss you so much!!
And my favorite picture of him, and I have saved it as a screensaver, is the look he is giving his darling grandson, Leo. He has the same look our Dad often had when he would tease his grandchildren.
Tom Corbett
June 14, 2024
I lost many a game of hearts to Chris, but his clever banter and great jokes left me feeling that I had won. He was such a a great friend. I miss him dearly. I am in awe of what a great husband and father he was. When faced with a problem, I will continue to ask myself, what would Chris do, because it would always be kind and generous.
Tom Corbett
June 14, 2024
Tom Corbett
June 14, 2024
Chuck Doherty
June 14, 2024
Always love connecting with you Chris, your great smile and laugh, would lighten up a conversation making everyone around at ease! To say you are a one of a kind is an understatement, what a great pleasure to have gotten to know you Brother!
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