Doyle Ray Marler

Doyle Ray Marler passed away to be eternally with God at approximately 2:25 the morning of May 2, 2023. He was 79 years old.

Ray was born on March 3, 1944 to James Clinton “J.C.” Marler and Mattie Bingham Marler in Chattanooga, TN. He graduated from Red Bank High School (Class of 1963). He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, a long-time attendee of Red Bank Baptist Church, and had a strong Christian faith.

Ray grew up on his parents’ dairy farm in the Spring Valley area of Chattanooga. When he was a boy of 7 or 8 years old, he enjoyed riding the cows when his father was not watching and driving the tractor down Mountain Creek Road to Coffelt’s Esso Station to fill the tractor with gas. Some of his chores on the farm were milking the cows and putting hay in the barn. Ray was the epitome of an entrepreneur. He began his business endeavors purchasing a single dump truck in 1965. Shortly after, he founded Ray Marler Construction Company, which he built into a successful grading and paving contracting business. He opened a rock quarry, owned and operated a fully integrated waste services business, and later established a second waste services business. He was involved in several real estate developments and also served on the Board of Directors of a local bank. He enjoyed going to lunch around town with his many friends and finding quiet ways to help others in need. He loved horses, American Saddlebreds in particular, tinkering in his beloved barn and garage, driving his tractor, talking to anyone, strangers especially, and engineering homemade devices for domestic use. Above all else, his love for and support of his family is what he held closest to his heart.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Ann Cronin and Martha Marler, and his brother, James “Bud” Marler.

He is survived by his loving wife of almost 58 years, Rilda Marler; his three children, Scott Marler, Shanna Jenkins (Rob), and Mandee Brager (Jason); his brother-in-law, Clifford Lamar “CL” Mayberry; his four grandchildren, Will Marler, Brooke Jenkins, Evan Jenkins, and Emma Brager; and his several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 pm Saturday, May 6, 2023 in the funeral home chapel of Chattanooga North Chapel with Dr. Fred Steelman officiating. Interment will follow the services in Hamilton Memorial Gardens. Family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm Friday, May 5, 2023 and prior to the service Saturday at the funeral home.

Please search the link below about an article that the Chattanoogan did about Dad’s memories of growing up on a farm off Mountain Creek Rd. at Ray Marler's Memories Of Mountain Creek - Chattanoogan.com

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Kidney Foundation of Greater Chattanooga.

Please share your memories of Ray with the family at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Hwy. 153, Hixson, TN 37343.