David Paul Marone Jr.

David Paul Marone Jr., age 47, of Brimley, Michigan, passed away on February 11, 2026, in Bethesda, Maryland, surrounded by his loving family after bravely battling cancer for 14 years. He was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, and friend.

Born on September 30, 1978, in Omaha, Nebraska, Dave grew up in a tight-knit U.S. Air Force family, spending his childhood at duty stations that took him from Hawaii to England and Germany, as well as Missouri and Virginia. Along the way, he formed lasting friendships that remained meaningful throughout his life. He especially valued the early bonds he built at Ramstein Middle School in Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany, and at Tabb High School in Yorktown, Virginia.

Following high school, Dave attended James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where he enrolled in the U.S. Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), beginning his own path toward military service. While at JMU, he forged enduring friendships in the JMU Ranger Group and Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity. A lifelong learner, Dave pursued advanced education throughout his military career, earning a master's degree in national security affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School and a master's degree in political science from Virginia Tech.

Commissioned as a second lieutenant in 2001, Dave served 13 years in the U.S. Army, first as a combat engineer, later as a military intelligence officer, and finally as a foreign area officer. His assignments included Fort Leonard-Wood, Missouri; Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Huachuca, Arizona; the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California; the Milwaukee Recruiting Battalion in Appleton, Wisconsin; Fort Lewis, Washington; the NATO School in Oberammergau, Germany; and the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. He deployed twice, to Iraq and Afghanistan, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. His decorations include two Bronze Star Medals, Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, and multiple unit and service awards. Dave served his country with honor, commitment, and integrity until he was medically retired as a major in 2014 following a 2011 diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia associated with toxic burn pit exposure during his combat deployments.

After his military retirement, Dave began a second chapter of service as a federal civilian employee. He worked as a security specialist for the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda; the U.S. Air Force in Cognac-Châteaubernard, France; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Soo Locks) in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) in Brussels, Belgium. Shortly after moving to Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula, he served for two years as Director of the region's North Star Habitat for Humanity, overseeing operations, the local ReStore, fundraising, volunteers, and home repair projects, a role he truly valued. Colleagues in each role remember him as a principled leader, steady mentor, and thoughtful teammate who brought the same dedication and integrity to his civilian career that defined his military service. He sincerely valued the relationships he built with colleagues in each city and country along the way.

Above all else, Dave cherished his role as husband to Shannon, his best friend of more than 20 years, and as father to David and Maria, who were the light of his life. His family was his greatest pride and deepest joy, and he loved them with unwavering devotion, wise counsel, steadfast resolve, and a humble faith. He filled their lives with laughter and adventure, always urging them to take the leap, try the climb, explore the unknown, and trust that they were braver than they believed.

After his cancer diagnosis in 2011, Dave and Shannon made a conscious decision to embrace life fully, determined to make the most of whatever time they were given together. They established a permanent home near Dave's family along the shores of Lake Superior, where he spent more than two years building their house with his own hands-a true labor of love and a testament to his dedication to his family. In time, their journey led them to live in France and Belgium, where together they explored more than 20 countries and formed lasting friendships with neighbors and colleagues, creating memories that will endure for a lifetime. Dave was happiest cycling, hiking, kayaking, or discovering a new city or country with his family by his side, and his courage and adventurous spirit continue to guide and inspire them.

Dave's commitment to his family was also evident in the countless hours he devoted to supporting their activities. He served as Scoutmaster for Troop 457 in Brussels, helped to coach middle school cross-country at Brussels American School, was a senior member of the Chièvres Air Base Civil Air Patrol cadet squadron, and worked as a spirited booster club volunteer at David and Maria's sporting events.

Though he lived with cancer for 14 years, Dave never allowed it to define him. He faced the disease with quiet strength, steadfast optimism, and an unwavering determination to pursue the most advanced treatments available, generously sharing his knowledge and experience to encourage and support fellow patients. A tireless self-advocate, he spent hours studying the latest medical research related to his disease and consulting with physicians and others walking a similar path.

Because of the aggressive and rare nature of his disease, Dave enrolled in clinical studies at the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda beginning in 2011, where his participation contributed to research that has and will continue to benefit future cancer patients. In July 2025, he returned to NIH to begin a new treatment; when it proved unsuccessful, he courageously proceeded with rigorous therapies in preparation for an experimental bone marrow transplant, with his son, David, serving as his donor. Although the transplant brought his cancer into remission-an outcome his doctors described as extraordinary-his body had endured all it could. During seven months in the hospital, Dave's courage, perseverance, and indomitable spirit inspired all who cared for him.

Dave is survived by his devoted wife, Shannon; beloved children, David III and Maria; his loving parents, David Sr. and Regina Marone; supportive siblings, Brigid (Steve); Daniel (Jessica); and Kathleen (Nick); special nephews Andrew, William, Matthew, Christopher, and Dominic; treasured nieces Madelyn and Kennedy; as well as many cherished uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Esther and Paul Marone; maternal grandparents, Agatha and William Piedmont, Jr.; maternal uncle, William Piedmont III; maternal aunt and uncle, Mary and Ronald Richardson; and Max, his loyal border terrier, whom he lovingly dubbed his "faithful steed."

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on March 21 at St. Kateri Catholic Church in Bay Mills, Michigan. For those unable to attend in person, the Mass will be livestreamed via www.facebook.com/Eupfaith. All who knew and loved Dave are welcome to attend and join in honoring his life, spirit, and legacy. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Burn Pits 360 or the North Country Trail Association in Dave's honor. Cards and favorite memories of Dave may be sent to PO Box 57, Brimley, MI 49715.

Obituary as submitted by family.