Michael Thomas Marlowe

Michael Thomas Marlowe, age 75, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2025, at Tierra Este Nursing and Rehab Center in El Paso, Texas from complications related to Parkinson's disease.

He is survived by his siblings, Don Marlowe of Roanoke, VA, Ron Marlowe (Pat) of Blacksburg, VA and Melody Marlowe Nichols (Steve) of Williamsburg, VA, as well as his niece, Alyssa Marlowe (Charlottesville, VA), his nephews, Peter Marlowe (Orlando, FL) and Keith Nichols (Charlottesville, VA), several aunts, an uncle, and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Johnson Marlowe and Christine Williamson Marlowe of Blacksburg, VA, his nephew, Matthew Nichols and niece, Faith Marlowe, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins and his long-time friend, Shirley Nickel.

Born in South Boston, Virginia on September 20, 1949, Mike soon moved with his parents to Mississippi, and later to Oklahoma, before the family returned to Virginia in 1954. He and his siblings grew up in Blacksburg, after their father joined the faculty of VPI (now Virginia Tech). Mike was an excellent student with a keen mathematical mind. He was a 1967 graduate of Blacksburg High School, serving as President of his Senior Class. While at BHS, he was on Student Council, attended Boy's State and the National Science Foundation's Summer Program, and participated in many other activities. After high school, he studied briefly at UNC, Chapel Hill, prior to a 5-year hiatus in Europe where he taught English to earn his keep. He later attended the University of Denver, earning a BSBA in Management in March 1982. He then worked for a commercial building contractor in Colorado and later as a purchasing agent with a mechanical contractor in Connecticut. He returned home in 1988 and later pursued graduate studies in English at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. During this time, he also served as a student teacher. Mike had an active, bright mind, but never quite found his niche for engaging it productively. After returning to Blacksburg, he assisted his parents by chauffeuring them to medical appointments, funerals, social events and visits with family members in NC.

Mike was an avid sports fan and a voracious reader of philosophy, theology, poetry and fiction. He enjoyed the outdoors, touring and hiking many national and state parks throughout his life. He loved to travel and saw much of this country and many parts of the world, always on a shoestring. Perhaps the works of Louis L'Amour inspired Mike's love of the Big Sky Country of the Mid-West. Much of the last 12 years of his life was spent exploring it by van and meeting interesting people along the way. Mike valued personal freedom above all else and chose to live life on his own terms. He will be remembered by all who knew him.

An informal gathering for family and friends will be held on April 26, from 2 - 5 PM in the Whisner Building at Blacksburg United Methodist Church, 111 Church St SE, Blacksburg, VA. Memorial donations can be made to a state park of your choice.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff and caregivers of Casa de Oro in Las Cruces, NM and Tierra Este Nursing and Rehab Center in El Paso, TX as well as Gentiva Hospice and Hospice of El Paso for their kindness, and their compassionate and respectful care of Mike.