Marcus Edward Koonce Jr. was born on February 18, 1988 to Evon M. Cameron and Marcus E. Koonce Sr. in Cleveland, Ohio. He was one of eight children, and as the oldest boy, Marcus Jr was everyone’s go-to.

Marcus Jr. attended East Cleveland City Schools at Caledonia and Superior Elementary schools; he also attended Kirk Middle School and Shaw High School, which he graduated from in June of 2006. In 2010, Marcus Jr. graduated from Tri-C Community College with his private Security.

Marcus Jr., after graduating high school, had his first child in 2007 – Alaina Koonce. Afterward, in 2023, he had his second daughter, Zara Koonce with his fiancé Cassey Peterson.

He was a wonderful father, big brother, and fiancé that was always by our side – no matter what life brought.

Marcus Jr. was a family man that worked, took care of his kids, and was there for his siblings. He enjoyed doing stuff with his hands like construction, which he learned from our Mother’s Father and Marcus Sr. The thing he most enjoyed about that field was electrical work. He also enjoyed playing cards and having barbecues and know how to make people laugh and have a good time.

Our Mother always sang this song to us – “You are special, you are special, Mommy loves you, Mommy loves you Marcus, Marvon, and Niecey, Marlin, Marcell, and Reesie, Brandon, and Erica, Mommy loves you” – and that’s when we became the Great Eight.

Marcus Jr. was preceded in death by his mother, Evon M. Cameron; grandparents Vera and Eddlenton Cameron; and Uncle Reginald Cameron.

He Leaves to cherish his memory his children, Alaina and Zara Koonce; his father, Marcus Sr.; fiancé Cassey Peterson; siblings Marvon, Lenecia, Marlin, Marcell, Leriesha, Brandon, and Erica, half-brother Carlton Taylor; nieces and nephews Kalice, Deunte Jr., Paige, Marvon Jr., Braylin, Kamya and Zamaria; he also leaves behind to cherish his memory his uncles, aunties, cousins and two sisters-in-law.