Athlete Bio#
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Height
6'4"
Age
44
Hometown
Newcastle, OK
Education
Newcastle High School Panhandle State University; DeVry University
Quick Facts
- Parents are Joe Marinko and Teresa McShane
- Brothers are John Marinko and Zac Boydstun; Sisters are Joy Harold, Tina Bishop and Valerir Powell. J.Dee is the youngest of the family
- The happiest moment of his life was the birth of his sons, Kash (2008) and Liam (2011)
- The person J. Dee admires most is his mother, Teresa, because, “She has fought and beat cancer, and was with me through my fight with cancer.”
- J. Dee’s hobbies include golf, hunting and fishing
Career Highlights
- 2019: Parapan American Games (Silver)
- 2015: USA Volleyball Male Sitting Player of the Year
- 2015: Parapan American Games (Silver)
- 2011: Parapan American Games(Silver); Continental Cup; Sarajevo Open
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- DID YOU KNOW
- J.Dee is below the knee amputee on his right leg
- After being diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, J. Dee was told there was a 75 percent chance of the cancer coming back if he did have the affected parts of his leg removed.
- Played two years of football at Panhandle State University
Paralympic Experience
- 1-time Paralympian;
- Paralympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016, 8th (Team - Men)
World Championship Experience
- Most recent: 2018 – 8th (Team - Men)
- Years of participation: Team - Men 2014, 2018
- Top finish: 8th – 2018 (Team - Men)
More
Run With It: J. Dee MarinkoParalympian: J. Dee Marinko
The Sitting Happens Podcast: J. Dee Marinko
Fighting Cancer with INFINITY and the Hardwood Heroes
Sitting Update: Men's camp key to Rio success
Cameras Over Cancer: Soft Tissue Sarcoma Survivor Becomes World-Class Athlete
After Losing His Leg To Cancer, Sitting Volleyball Player J. Dee Marinko Thankful For Another Chance To Play
Marinko Tabbed Men's Sitting Player of Year
Cancer.org: Soft Tissue Sarcoma Survivor Becomes World-Class Athlete
Tinker Air Force Base: Cancer claims foot, but doesn’t dampen spirit, of Tinker athlete