Marion Pfluger

Marion H, Pfluger, 88, passed away on Saturday, March 7, in Lakewood, Colorado after a brief illness. Born on February 24, 1921 near Pflugerville, TX, he was the son of Herbert and Lenora Kreidel Pfluger. He grew up on the family farm. He graduated from Pflugerville High School. While waiting to be drafted into military service, he attended a Radio Technical School in Dallas to learn communications. In 1940, he was drafted into the Army Signal Corp. After training at Camp Crowder, Missouri, he decided to transfer to the Air Force. He learned to fly and was training to be a navigator when the Signal Corps decided they wanted him back. He reunited with four buddies, all of whom were cryptologists. After 4 months more training in Hawaii, the five were shipped to the South Pacific. They were made a part of a Marine Unit. In 1945, six days after the initial invasion of Iwo Jimo, Marion and his 4 comrades found themselves in a foxhole with their communication equipment. This was their “base” for six weeks. It was their job to code and decode messages including decoding Japanese messages. After the battle was won, these five guys remained on Iwo Jimo for thirteen more months living in a tent at the foot of Mount Surabachi. Needless to say, they became very good friends. They remained in touch through the years. In 1985, they had their first reunion. Several more followed. After his discharge from the military, Marion entered the University of Texas. A week before he was to report to Coach Bib Faulk to practice as a pitcher on a baseball scholarship, he qualified for the UT Golf Team and a golf scholarship. He won every match he played from 1947-1950. He was captain of the Southwest Conference Champions in 1948. He played in three NCAA championships and never lost a match until in 1948, he met up with a golfer named Arnold Palmer. After graduation from UT, he served as Assistant Pro under his teammate, Bob Watson, at Metropolis CC in White Plains, NY. He returned to Texas in 1952 to marry his college sweetheart, Dorothy Hartman. He tried a desk job in Dallas for a year, then became a sales rep for Wilson sporting Goods. Golf division. In 1954, he met Press Maxwell, designer and constructor of golf courses. Maxwell hired Marion to manage his River Hills Golf Club in Irving, TX. As a 16-year-old, Lee Trevino was one of Marion’s employees. He later moved to Brookhaven CC, Farmers Branch, TX as the Head Golf Pro. Maxwell had also constructed this course. In 1960, Maxwell was finishing construction of the 27-hole Pinehurst CC, Littleton, CO. With a strong referral from Maxwell, Marion became the Head Golf Pro, reporting for duty before the course was finished. He remained in that position for 25 years. After retirement, he was given a new office and remained as Professional in Residence until 1996, serving in public relations and introducing new members to the course. Marion was President of the Colorado Section of the PGA in 1968-67 and was selected Golf Professional of the Year (Colorado Section) in 1966 and again in 1983. In 1996, Marion and Press Maxwell were named to the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame. Marion has made many friends in the golf world as he served as a starter for many years at the International Golf Tournament at Castle Pines beginning in 1986. He had been commended and awarded a plaque for his dedication and efforts with Golf 4 Fun program, a project created to help the disabled golfer. His love of golf began as a teenager hitting balls with his Dad in the cow pasture at home in Pflugerville. One of his fondest memories was the opportunity to play three rounds of tournament golf with Byron Nelson. Marion and Dorothy were avid Longhorn fans attending as many footballs games as possible as well as other sports venues. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the University of Texas Longhorn Hall of Honor Council, serving as President in 1995. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Dorothy and his parents. He is survived by his sister, Jeanette Burk and husband Marvin of Pflugerville, TX; nephews Richard (Rick) Burk, St. Louis and Morris Burk, Round Rock, TX; niece Connie Dickinson and husband Skip; great-nephew Brandon Dickinson and wife Lissa and one great-great niece, all of Cedar Park, TX. Also left to mourn his loss is brother-in-law, Charles Hartman and wife, Deanie, and their family of San Antonio, Tx. He will truly be missed by his special friend, legal guardian and main caregiver, Dr. Sally J. Hardwick. Sally worked for Marion as an assistant golf professional during the summer months from 1961 until his retirement. Dear friends, Jim & Martha Parish, Brittany Bushacher, Guy and Sue Leidolph, and Jean Chapman also did many special things for him. They loved and supported him especially during the final months of his life. His family is truly grateful for them. His little dog, “Tater”, has also been left behind. He leaves a multitude of friends in Colorado and elsewhere. Marion’s life will be celebrated Friday, March 20, 2009, 11:00 AM at Bear Valley Christian Church, 6800 West Hampden Avenue, Lakewood, Colorado 80227. Following the service, a reception will be held at Pinehurst Country Club. Donations can be made to the Colorado PGA section, 6630 Bear Dance Road, Suite 200, Larkspur, Colorado 80118. Please note for Marion Pfluger memorial fund for Junior Golf Scholarships. Arrangements by All-Veterans Funeral and Cremation