Marion Edward “Chubby” Bass, 82, of Vero Beach, passed away on March 11, 2016, at Indian River Medical Center.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jean E. Bass of Vero Beach; son David Bass (Vicky) of Vero Beach; daughter Dr. Rebecca Bass (Judson McCurdy) of Macon, Ga.; brothers Bob Bass of Clewiston, Fla., and Larry Bass (Helen) of Plant City, Fla.; sister-in-law Elizabeth Graves Bass of Vero Beach; grandsons Hunter Wynn, Bryce Bass, Reid Bass and Christian Taylor; granddaughter Mason Bass and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan Elaine Bass Taylor and granddaughter, Taylor Wynn.
Bass was born in Daytona Beach, Fla., and moved to Vero Beach from Titusville, Fla., at age 10.
He was a graduate of Vero Beach High School Class of 1952. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Florida and a Master’s Degree from Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C.
Bass was one of the most gifted athletes to come out of Vero Beach High School. He was named Little All State in two sports, basketball as a sophomore and football as a senior. He is listed as the school’s second most prolific scorer in football. This is all the more noteworthy, according to a classmate, in that he was a running back only in his senior year. Though he was engaged in sports throughout the academic year, his grades earned him a place in the National Honor Society.
He was a pilot in the United States Air Force.
He was a member and long-time Deacon of First Baptist Church of Vero Beach. He was a member of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Vero Beach and a longtime member of the Romeos, a group of retired educators and friends which met weekly at CJ Cannon’s Restaurant.
Bass had a long career in Education in Indian River County. He was first a dean at Vero Beach High School. He also served as principal at Gifford Middle Six. He opened the new Sebastian River Middle School. He finished his career as principal at Vero Beach Junior High School. He retired in 1995. He and his wife enjoyed spending the summers in Linville, N.C.
Memorial contributions may be made to Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960, Alzheimer’s/Parkinson’s Association, 2300 5th Avenue Suite 150, Vero Beach, FL 32960 or First Baptist Church, Vero Beach, 2206 16th Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32960 in memory of Marion Edward Bass.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 3 p.m., Thursday, March 17, 2016 at First Baptist Church, Vero Beach.
A Celebration of Life will begin at 3 p.m., Thursday, March 17, 2016 at First Baptist Church with Rev. James M. Newsome officiating.
Condolences may be made at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.
