Marlin Player

Marlin Walter Player, age 79, of Roy, Utah passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 21, 2024.

Marlin, nicknamed Butch by his family, was born on March 28, 1945, to William Ralph and Elsie Nichols Player in Bennion, Utah and was number five of seven siblings. After graduating from Granger High School, Marlin served in the United States Army Reserve. He then went on to a 40-year career at Hill Air Force Base repairing and plating aircraft landing gear.

In 1969, Marlin married Rebecca Jones and was suddenly the father of two little boys: Shawn, four, and Anthony, two. A year later Marlin adopted the boys as his own and the family was sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. A daughter, Andrea, was also adopted and added to the family in 1979. Although the couple divorced decades later, the family remained close.

Marlin loved sports cars, especially Corvettes. He was driving a 1964 Stingray when he got married. Needing a family car, Marlin sold it and bought a very "conservative" 1969 Oldsmobile 442. Later he owned another mid 60's Stingray, BMW 635 csi, Honda S2000 and lastly a Mazda Miata. Marlin also loved motorcycles and owned several brands, but Yamaha was his favorite. After retiring in 2006, Marlin logged hundreds of thousands of miles between his cars and motorcycles -- most of that with his best friend, Roger Campbell. There were several trips to the Sturgis rally, and other trips around the western US. His other hobbies were fishing, gardening, long rides to buy lottery tickets, and going to his grandson's sporting events.

Marlin was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Donna, Zola, and son Anthony. He is survived by son Shawn, (Diana and grandson Braxton), daughter Andrea, (Adrian), daughter-in-law Jennifer, and grandsons Ethan, Keaton, and Liam.

Services will be held at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 S Redwood Road in Taylorsville, Utah on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. A viewing will begin at 12:00 pm, followed by services at 1:00. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to The Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Research Center (ADRC) at Utah State University.