TAPS: CAPT (Ret) Marc Luoma passed away on 6 March at age 63

Capt. William Marcus (Marc) Luoma, U.S. Navy, age 63, of Arnold, Maryland died of liver disease on Saturday, March 6, 2021. 

Marc was born in Jackson, MS on April 8, 1957 to William and Mada Luoma. He was one of 5 children and grew up on Mobile Bay in Alabama. As a young boy, he could be found reading a volume of the World Book Encyclopedia which honed his intelligence. He could also be found swimming, boating, and lifeguarding which contributed to his love of the water. After graduating from Fairhope (AL) High School and receiving a BA from the University of South Alabama, he fulfilled his love of the water with the career decision to join the Navy and was commissioned in 1980. 

Marc Luoma

Marc began his Navy career as a Knightrider squadron intelligence officer in VA-52 stationed at Whidbey Island, WA. He had follow-on assignments around the world: from Stuttgart, Germany and Rota, Spain - where he met his wife Suzanne, to Atsugi, Japan. Stateside assignments included Newport, RI; San Diego, CA; Alexandria, VA; Cambridge, MA; and Key West, FL.  

As the Carrier Air Wing Five intelligence officer during Operation Desert Storm, Marc played a key role in integration of intelligence and operations efforts of Battle Force Zulu, which included four aircraft carriers, two battleships, and 120 ships from a dozen countries. For his indispensable work, he was awarded the bronze star medal. Marc concluded his 27-year Navy career at the Joint Inter-Agency Task Force – South in Key West, FL. After the Navy, he continued his public service at the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization which brought about critical solutions to combat the primary killer of U.S. and allied service members in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Marc is survived by his loving wife of nearly 31 years, Suzanne and their children, Austin and Everett; sister Emily Loiselle (Robert), brother Chris Luoma (Lori), and their families; and paternal aunt, Mrs. Betty Chapman. He is preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Henry Edmonds; and sisters Lynn Hedl and Jan Randel. 

A memorial service is planned for the future.