Services for Marion LaFay Polk will be held 12:00 PM on Saturday, December 18, 2021, in the chapel of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home with Rev. Ricky Vines officiating. Interment will follow in Alexandria Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Friday, December 17, 2021, and resume from 10:00 AM until the time of service on Saturday, December 18, 2021.
Past National Commander Marion Polk passed away on December 6, 2021, in Alexandria, LA after a brief illness.
Marion was born in Winnsboro, graduated from Pearl River Central High School in 1967, and entered the U.S. Coast Guard.
Marion retired from the U.S. Coast Guard as a Chief Petty Officer in 1989 after 20 years of service. His service in the Coast Guard included the command of his own unit as well as service as executive officer in four different Coast Guard units. After his military career, he worked as a support enforcement officer for the state of Louisiana until he retired.
Marion became a dedicated veterans advocate and begin working closely with AMVETS Post 7-LA. He was elected AMVETS National Commander at the 73rd national convention in Norfolk, VA in August 2017. He served as commander of the 250,000-member organization for one year. PNC Polk served in command position at every AMVETS echelon.
Marion served three terms as Commander of the AMVETS National District III, an area that included Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. He was recognized as both AMVETS Recruiter of the Year and AMVETS Commander of the Year.
As AMVETS National Commander, he led the entire organization through the high profile #PleaseStand campaign raising awareness of the importance of patriotism. He testified March 6, 2018, before the House and Senate Veterans Affairs committees.
PNC Polk was a frequent presence at Post 7-LA, his home post. His leadership and love for his post was well-known among its members.
Marion enjoyed working with his hands and woodworking, he was a great cook in both competition and enjoyed cooking for his friends and family. He loved NASCAR and one of his biggest thrills was being able to attend races and his friendship with NASCAR driver Clay Greenfield. Marion loved his country and helping his fellow servicemen and women. He was married to Beverly, his best friend for over 20 years. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and spoiling them. Marion was a selfless person, always willing to put others before himself.
Marion is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Benjamin Polk and Helen June Hill Polk, and twin brother, Charles Ray Polk, Sr.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Beverly Leavines Polk; brother, Thomas V. “Tommy” Polk (Luci); sisters, Judy Lynn Polk Fullerton (Greg), Linda Arlene Polk Vines (Ricky), and Patricia Ann Polk Murphy (John); his children, Toby Polk, Ronnie Polk, Sabrina Whaley, Mary Rogge (Matt), Melissa Isaac (Chris); grandchildren, Tristan Whaley, Brandy, Eric Townsend, Christopher Lloyd Jr., Layla Dupuy, Kait Burns (Zachary), Jeremy “JJ” Dupuy Jr., Alexis Clark, and Maddison Rogge; great-grandchildren, Hadley Burns, Benjamin Burns, and Riley Burns; along with numerous nephews, nieces, countless cousins, and many other family members, including his AMVETS family of Post 7-LA.
Pallbearers honored to serve will be Christopher Lloyd Jr., Jeremy “JJ” Dupuy Jr., Jeremy Vines, Jeremy Kelly, Kenny Baxley, and Kelly McFarlain.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to AMVETS Post 7-LA, 3409 England Dr, Alexandria, LA 71303.
