Marjorie Champney Cole

Marjorie Champney Cole was born in El Paso on July 4, 1923, to William T. and Eva Mae Bryant. She attended Austin High School and graduated from the Texas College of Mines (now the University of Texas of El Paso) in 1944 with a degree in Business Administration. 

She and her first husband, Wayne Champney, started Champs Aviation Inc. at the El Paso International Airport and operated that business for 22 years. “Champs” was a fixed-base operation that provided fuel, aircraft maintenance, and Cessna aircraft sales in El Paso with additional offices in Midland and Lubbock, Texas. Both Marge and Wayne were very active in the aviation community in El Paso and, at one point in time, “Champs” was the most successful Cessna dealership in the U.S. Just before the death of Wayne, they were both inducted into the El Paso Aviation Hall of Fame. After selling the business in 1967, Marge worked as office manager for Sanders Advertising for 11 years and office manager for Cox, Colton, Stoner & Starr, an accounting firm, for 3 years. 

After retiring in 1982, Marge became a volunteer at the Vista Del Sol Medical Center where she worked for 35 years! For 2 1/2 years, she was the President of the Auxiliary. On the Board of the Texas Association of Hospital Auxiliaries, she regularly attended meetings in Austin. At Vista Del Sol, she managed the ICU waiting room and was Chairperson of the Chapel Committee. In 2007, she was chosen “Volunteer of the Year” and honored at a banquet attended by her sons and their wives. 

For over 50 years Marge was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Social and Service Sorority and held every office including president. She also served as President of the BSP El Paso City Council which included eight local chapters of the Sorority. The last chapter she was a member of was the Gamma Master chapter. For four years she volunteered for the “Volunteers for Vision” checking preschool children’s eyes. 

Marge joined St. Paul’s Methodist Church in 1960 where she served as Secretary of the Administration Board and was President and Secretary/Treasurer of the Friendship Sunday School Class.

She played bridge three times a week with friends and traveled all over the world. She especially enjoyed taking hosted “Mystery Trips” throughout the U.S with her friends. 

After 96 years in El Paso, she moved in 2020 to Plano, Texas (a Dallas suburb) to be near her son Bob. She lived in two assisted living facilities during where she made lots of friends and became an avid Mexican Train player. She loved the staff and aides at both facilities. 

In January of 2024, she moved to Ogden, UT to be near Rod and his family. Again, she made friends quickly and introduced the residents of The Lodge to the game of Mexican Train. 

She was admitted to the hospital on June 22 after suffering a minor stroke and was diagnosed with kidney failure. She passed away peacefully with her family by her side on June 24, 2024. 

Marge is survived by her two sons, Rod and Bob Champney and their spouses Linda and Kathy; five grandchildren, Kim Champney, Todd Champney, Krisa Stewart, Tatum Tuthill and Kari Hansen; 13 great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren whom she was recently able to meet in person. She was affectionately known as “GG” by her grandkids. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, the scholarships fund of Vista Del Sol Medical Center Auxiliary, or to a favorite charity.

Memorial Services will be held at The Lodge in Ogden, Utah and St Paul’s Methodist Church in El Paso, Texas. She will be buried at the Ft. Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso.