Marvin M. Smith

Marvin M. Smith, who spent his retirement years in Sisters, went to be with his Lord Saturday, November 10, 2007, in Escondido, California. He was 89.

Remembered as a man of integrity, faith and spirited humor, he was loved by family and friends everywhere he lived. Born on the Kansas prairie, Marvin grew up on a wheat farm with three brothers. As a graduate of Wichita Business College, he joined the U.S. Army in 1941 and was stationed in San Francisco. There he met his beloved "Ginny," Virginia Cook, marrying April 3, 1942. Two years later, Marvin became part of the D-Day invasion of Normandy as a company commander embroiled in front-line combat among the hedgerows and was wounded near St. Lo, France.

After the war Marvin and Virginia settled in Pratt, Kansas, where three children were born, relocating to Southern California in 1957. Marvin became a busy Chartered Life Underwriter, and at retirement in 1990 he and Virginia moved to Sisters to be closer to grandchildren. Here, he was active in his church community and the Gideons, as well as a friendly neighbor, known for walking around the Tollgate loops well into his 80s.

Memorial services were held in Silverton, and Marvin was buried in a stirring ceremony with full military honors at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Virginia; daughters Carol Higgins of San Diego and Marlee LeDai of Silverton; son Mark Smith of Kooskia, Idaho; eight grandchildren (three, graduates of Sisters High); and three great-grandchildren. Marvin left the world a better place because he always believed the best in everyone. Donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the Gideons.

Information provided by the family of Marvin Smith.