Mr. Marion Jamison Jr.

His Story: Marion Jamison Jr., affectionately known as Junebug and JR, was born on December 25, 1939 to the parents of Marion Jamison Sr. and Daisy Davis-Barnes, in the District of Columbia. Marion attended elementary education in North Carolina. After relocating to Detroit, MI, he graduated from Northwestern High School in 1959. In 1960, Jr. married Gloria Jean Jackson and they had two daughters (Rosetta and Trina). In 1970, he remarried Mary Elizabeth Jamison-Harris. Born to this union were three children (Daniel, Michael and Rochelle). As a teenager, Marion’s Uncle Wiley Barnes took him under his wing. From his uncle he learned about life and entrepreneurship. Jr. learned everything he knew about the dry cleaning business from his Uncle Wiley. In 1972, Jr. and Liz franchised Jim’s Valet Dry Cleaners. While running a dry cleaning business, he also worked for Vandermark Mfg. & Service Co., painting UPS trucks, and as a mechanic. He always had at least two jobs. No matter whether on the job or at home he was ever dedicated. He was the best! Jr. was no stranger to the kitchen. He loved to cook, eat, and watch others enjoy his cooking. No matter the season, Jr. was known for grilling, even in the dead of winter. In the kitchen, he would concoct all kinds of dishes. All of his concoctions shared the same name, goulash. Jr. enjoyed fishing. He wasn’t that great at it, so most of the time he would end up just buying and cooking it himself. He loved ballroom dancing and listening to the blues. Above all, he loved riding his horses, especially to Marlboro Country, in the open range. Marion lived and loved life. Everyone was just crazy about Jr. He had a niche for making everybody feel special. He would call all the woman “beautiful” or “doll.” The children who grew up on the block (Cheyenne St.) affectionately called him “Pops.” Jr. showed kindness, compassion, and love for the neighbors, and most were like family. When he would barbecue, he fed all the children on the block. When the ice-cream truck came, he bought for every child at the truck. All you had to do was be there. Jr. loved his family. His in-laws were more than that to him, they were his friends. Jr. adored his children and would do anything for them. His wife was truly the apple of his eye. For 50 years he loved his “Elizabeth.” They shared far too many experiences and fun times together to tell. In his later years, when his sickness began to attack his memory, Liz would bring back some of those good memories and they would get such a laugh from them. Marion confessed Christ amid his sickness. On February 13, 2019, when Jr.’s spirit was called home, he was ready.

Mr. Marion Jamison Jr.

December 25, 1939 - February 13, 2019