Anthony DeMarlo leaves a legacy

By Jessica Vaughn / jessica@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 8/21/17

FOLEY - Local football legend Anthony DeMarlo passed away on July 14, and his family and friends have come together in remembrance of his many achievements and acts of kindness.

FOLEY HIGH …

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Anthony DeMarlo leaves a legacy

Posted

FOLEY - Local football legend Anthony DeMarlo passed away on July 14, and his family and friends have come together in remembrance of his many achievements and acts of kindness.

FOLEY HIGH FOOTBALL

DeMarlo attended Foley High School, where he would not only go on to become a star player on multiple playing fields, but also where he would meet his future wife Linda Brackman. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary not long ago.

During his time at Foley High School, DeMarlo, who played the halfback position on the football team, made many lasting impressions and broke many of the records of the time. Most importantly, he made life-long friendships with his team and classmates.

“Anthony was a great friend of mine, and all of us guys who played with him from 59 to 61,” said Lester Smith, who played alongside DeMarlo as the quarterback on the Foley High football team.

DeMarlo scored a record breaking 24 touchdowns during his high school career, a record that lasted 46 years, as well as scoring 37 touchdowns during his entire career, a record at the time. And that’s only the beginning of DeMarlo’s impressive playing history.

“He intercepted 3 passes in one game, another record at the time, as well as intercepting at least 6 passes during his senior year, which was thought to be a record at the time,” said Smith.

It was not only the team who thought highly of DeMarlo.

“He was a great kid, like family, almost like a younger brother, or even a son to me,” said Coach Ivan Jones. “Anthony had a great attitude, and everything was ‘yes sir’ and ‘no sir,’ just a great kid.”

With Coach Ivan Jones at the helm, and a team who quickly became friends, Foley High became unstoppable during the 59-61 seasons.

“We worked together really well, we all cared about each other, we all worked really hard and got along,” Smith said. “It was a great time in Foley.”

One of the most recounted games is Foley High versus UMS, during which DeMarlo scored 3 ways, in offense, defense, and kicking, a rarity. Also during his remarkable career as a football player, he scored 6 touchdowns over 60 yards, 3 or more touchdowns in at least 3 games, and 4 touchdowns in his last game as a player.

“He was as good as it comes as far as football players go,” Smith said. “I’ve never seen a better halfback as Anthony was. I’ve seen them all for the last 65 years, and I haven’t seen anyone match Anthony.”

During the 1960 season, of the 50 games Foley played, they won 47 and only lost 3. During the 1961 season, when DeMarlo played as a senior, the team was undefeated. The closest game during his senior year was 31 to 0.

“Anthony had a great football career at Foley,” said Jones. “He had some great games: great moves, great pass returns. He had a lot of athletic ability, and a great attitude. He was a leader, and a great kid. Everything I can say about him is good. Very coachable, very likeable, and a tremendous football player for his size,” said Jones. “He was only about 5’7 or 5’8, stretching him!”

It was due to his height that DeMarlo was unable to attend the original university of his choice, Alabama. “He really wanted to go to Alabama, but they thought he was too small,” said Jones. “They later said they should’ve signed him after he made All-Stars.”

DeMarlo was not only known for his skills on the football field, but for his skills in baseball and basketball as well. Along with Smith, DeMarlo enjoyed every sport, and according to Smith, their baseball and basketball teams were winning teams every year that they played. Smith also recounted how it wasn’t only the boys on the team who held it together or who could take all the credit for their achievements.

“We had a great coach in Coach Ivan Jones,” Smith said. “Even though we had a bunch of great athletes come together at one time, it wasn’t just the players, it was also the great coach. He was way ahead of his time, a great coach, and a great friend to this day.”

Years later, Jones remains a great coach, both in sports and in life.

“You want to leave it a better place than what it was when you found it,” said Jones.

Something that most everyone who knew DeMarlo will agree that he certainly has done, both on and off the field.

“He was a great player, and a great person, and a great friend,” said Smith. “He was outstanding in every respect. We here in Foley and the people in Atlanta, where he ended up, appreciate him and loved him, and we’re going to miss him greatly.”

AFTER FOLEY

After leaving Foley, DeMarlo began attending Georgia Tech, but his athletic career was unfortunately cut short due to a career-ending knee injury. Afterwards, he transferred to the University of Alabama, where he attended law school. He completed his courses at Woodrow Wilson Law School in Atlanta, Georgia, and from there he and his wife decided to remain in Atlanta. DeMarlo began a career in law, and as a partner in the McCurdy and Candler law firm he helped its lender representation practice to become one of the state’s largest.

“He was a really wonderful guy, and I don’t say that just because I was married to him for so many years,” said Linda DeMarlo. “He was a kind man, and he treated people fairly. People would always want to tell me he was so kind, but they wanted to tell me through specific stories representing his kindness.”

DeMarlo helped everyone who he was able, be it a client at work or a friend who couldn’t afford their monthly rent. He never shied away from lending a helping hand where he could.

“He was such a gentleman, always had a smile, kind, took care of everyone else before himself,” said Whitney Oeltmann, DeMarlo’s daughter.

“He listened to people individually, and tried to figure out realistic ways to help them specifically,” said DeMarlo. “He’ll be remembered for his kindness, his fairness, how he treated people, and he was a great husband and father.”

BATTLE WITH ALZHEIMER

At the prime of his life, DeMarlo was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, an event that would change the lives of the family forever. According to Oeltmann, she and her mother struggled to learn to live with her father’s disease when answers were not readily available to them. It was because of this life-altering event that Oeltmann became determined to create a way to help all families who were going through similar circumstances have access to information and support on how to “live” with the disease.

The DeMarlo family worked hard to found the Dementia Spotlight Foundation, Inc, a nonprofit entity that specializes in providing information in one easy location, and to host events in which people can come together to learn and share their experiences either living with dementia or caring for someone who does.

“Whitney worked very hard for that,” said DeMarlo. “It’s Anthony’s lasting legacy. Before he died, we were already getting letters from people who had benefitted from it. And he knew. I got to read some of those letters to him, and told him, ‘You’re the one who made this possible.’ And he would smile, because he knew he was making a difference.”

DeMarlo was active within the organization as well, and all who met him loved him.

“The thing that stands out to me is what a generous and kind soul he had, and his work,” said Lee Higgins, Behavioral Scientist with the Dementia Spotlight Foundation. “It sounds like he really set the norm for the law firms that he worked in to be fair to everyone and to work with integrity. Even their rival law firms looked to his firm as a group they could trust. To be that kind of a leader makes a huge impact, so that really struck me, and what I’ve heard from everyone is just how nice he was.”

The Dementia Spotlight Foundation, though young, is already making an impact on the lives of those who either have dementia or who know someone who does. They have hosted and sponsored events, and aim to make information more accessible to everyone to reach as many lives as they can. Some of their events have had over 600 people attend, and they are hard at work to help life become a little easier for those who have dementia and their families.

“Tony knew, he understood what we were doing,” said Higgins. “It was very touching.”

Anthony DeMarlo lived an extraordinary life. From a shining career as a football star, to working at a successful law firm, and doing it all with a smile and by showing kindness to others. He inspired the lives of countless people, and while he will be missed, he will never be forgotten.

To learn more about the Dementia Spotlight Foundation or to donate, visit their website at www.DementiaSpotlightFoundation.org. The family also asks those who knew Tony and wish to honor him to do so by donating to the foundation, which can be done on the website.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate the life of Anthony DeMarlo on Saturday, August 26 at 5pm. The service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Magnolia Springs, located at 14755 Oak St, and friends and family are invited to attend.

The WHEP Sports Broadcast Team (Clark Stewart, Anthony Kaiser, Rusty Pigott and Jake Pigott) will air a special tribute to the late Anthony Demarlo during halftime of this Friday night's broadcast of the Foley/Robertsdale football game. WHEP's live broadcasts of Foley's games can be heard on 1310AM/92.5FM, Riviera Cable Channel 7 and streamed live at www.whep1310.com and on WHEP's free smartphone app. Games are also available on the website and app as podcasts immediately following the conclusion of each game.