Marcus Roderick Bonner, 78, passed away peacefully in Gulf Breeze, Florida, on October 4, 2017, and is now with our Lord and Savior. He was the husband of Patricia Welborn Bonner.

Born in Toxey, Alabama, he was the second child born to Seth and Mildred Bonner. He pursued engineering at Auburn University for two years, then served in the US Army for another two years. In 1968, he was part of the University of West Florida's first graduating class. He was employed and then retired from Southern Bell, where he was an engineer for 26 years. After retiring, he was a real estate agent for many years.

As a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Gulf Breeze, he was a deacon and Sunday School teacher. Marcus was also a member of Gulf Breeze Rotary Club and was named a Paul Harris Fellow. In 1974, he was the first Gulf Breeze resident elected to the Santa Rosa County School Board where he served for eight years. A proud farmer's son, he was raised in Butler, Alabama, then eventually settled and raised his family in Gulf Breeze. He was passionate about education, gardening, faith, family, and friends.

Marcus is survived by his wife, Patricia Bonner, of Gulf Breeze, Florida; son, Darryl (Lynda) Bonner and daughter, Tricia (Al) Faulkner, both of Gulf Breeze, Florida; grandchildren, Bridgette (Travis) Deese of Peachtree City, Georgia; Seth Bonner of Gulf Breeze; Joe Bonner of New Orleans, Louisiana; Caleb Faulkner of Birmingham, Alabama; and Mallory Faulkner of Gulf Breeze, Florida; brother, Gerry Bonner of Butler, Alabama; sisters, Sandra (Gary) Busby of Pachuta, Mississippi, and Sherry Bonner of Fort Walton Beach, Florida; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Seth and Mildred Bonner.

The funeral service will be held Monday, October 9, 2017, at First Baptist Church of Gulf Breeze at 11:00 a.m., with interment at the Rose Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery in Gulf Breeze, Florida. Visitation, also at First Baptist Church of Gulf Breeze, will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. The service will be officiated by Dr. David Spencer. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Seth Bonner, Joe Bonner, Caleb Faulkner and Travis Deese; cousin, Michael Speed, and close friend, Dalton Renfroe.

Marcus Roderick Bonner, 78, passed away peacefully in Gulf Breeze, Florida, on October 4, 2017, and is now with our Lord and Savior. He was the husband of Patricia Welborn Bonner.

Born in Toxey, Alabama, he was the second child born to Seth and Mildred Bonner. He pursued engineering at Auburn University for two years, then served in the US Army for another two years. In 1968, he was part of the University of West Florida's first graduating class. He was employed and then retired from Southern Bell, where he was an engineer for 26 years. After retiring, he was a real estate agent for many years.

As a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Gulf Breeze, he was a deacon and Sunday School teacher. Marcus was also a member of Gulf Breeze Rotary Club and was named a Paul Harris Fellow. In 1974, he was the first Gulf Breeze resident elected to the Santa Rosa County School Board where he served for eight years. A proud farmer's son, he was raised in Butler, Alabama, then eventually settled and raised his family in Gulf Breeze. He was passionate about education, gardening, faith, family, and friends.

Marcus is survived by his wife, Patricia Bonner, of Gulf Breeze, Florida; son, Darryl (Lynda) Bonner and daughter, Tricia (Al) Faulkner, both of Gulf Breeze, Florida; grandchildren, Bridgette (Travis) Deese of Peachtree City, Georgia; Seth Bonner of Gulf Breeze; Joe Bonner of New Orleans, Louisiana; Caleb Faulkner of Birmingham, Alabama; and Mallory Faulkner of Gulf Breeze, Florida; brother, Gerry Bonner of Butler, Alabama; sisters, Sandra (Gary) Busby of Pachuta, Mississippi, and Sherry Bonner of Fort Walton Beach, Florida; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Seth and Mildred Bonner.

The funeral service will be held Monday, October 9, 2017, at First Baptist Church of Gulf Breeze at 11:00 a.m., with interment at the Rose Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery in Gulf Breeze, Florida. Visitation, also at First Baptist Church of Gulf Breeze, will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. The service will be officiated by Dr. David Spencer. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Seth Bonner, Joe Bonner, Caleb Faulkner and Travis Deese; cousin, Michael Speed, and close friend, Dalton Renfroe.