Marvin Jones

Marvin D. Jones, 77, son of Melvin Thomas and Lois Louise Jones, recently passed away at his long-time home in Derby, Kansas.

Marvin was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on August 20, 1946. As a young boy, he moved with his family to a home on Pineridge St. in Wichita, Kansas. Him and the other neighborhood kids were no doubt perfect angels, and there are many stories of their adventures. He attended Southeast High School which was just a short walk from his home.

Marvin nostalgically recalled his younger years working at Joyland Amusement Park and later with the traveling carnival Ottaway Amusement Co., which was owned by his big sister and brother-in-law. The skills he learned in those days made him a menace at Skee Ball, which over the years earned his daughter the envy of all the kids at the arcade when endless amounts of tickets were the result of his talents.

Marvin was an incredibly hard worker and spent over 40 years working in the aircraft industry as a sheet metal mechanic. He began his career at Cessna and eventually retired from both Boeing and Spirit. For a few years his daughter also worked at Boeing, and often they would meet in the cafeteria to have lunch together.

Over the years Marvin developed a passion for many things including cars, music, motocross motorcycles, woodworking, keeping a pristine yard, Rolling Rock beer, in general being an infuriatingly stubborn pain in the you-know-what, and more cars. He enjoyed so many things, but time with friends and family is what he valued most.

Marvin achieved the greatest accomplishment of his life when his beloved daughter, Julie, was born (okay, maybe those weren’t his exact words but the whole family knows it’s true). He was always a loving father and she was the center of his world…until his grandkids came along. His smile was never brighter than when he was with his grandson, Uriah, and his granddaughter, Mila. Uriah was beating him at poker by the age of four and Grandpa always kept them both on their toes playing Blackjack. He was in awe watching them grow up and was so incredibly proud.

Marvin also deeply loved his parents and siblings. He was the middle of seven children, and it pained him tremendously over the years as he lost his parents and five of his siblings, with his little brother Tommy passing away less than two months before him.

Marvin is preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Lois Jones (Morgan), his siblings, Gywnneth Christian, Neitha (Glenn) Oland, Norman Jones, Jennifer Wiley and Thomas Jones, and his lifelong best buddy, Jerry Geese.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Nathan Hampel, his grandchildren, Uriah and Mila Hampel, his sister Jacque (Jan) Murray, brother-in-law Bob Christian, sister-in-law Debbie Jones, many nieces and nephews who adored their Uncle Marv, as well as numerous lifelong friends and caring neighbors.

How does one describe the legacy left by a man as ornery as Marvin Jones? A longtime friend of Marvin’s said, “Cool is hard to define, but we know it when we see it. Marvin Jones was cool! Look in the dictionary under “cool cat” and you’ll find Marvin’s picture.” (Let’s just hope the picture is not from Marvin’s “ponytail era”… that was a regrettable time for all of us.)

No one thought Marvin was cooler - or more stubborn - than his daughter, Julie. She has this to say to her father:

“Dad, it was your wish not to have a funeral service and even though you never told me why, I always understood your reasons. When three of your siblings passed away, I had the honor of speaking at their memorial services. After each one, you told me how great I did and that you were so proud of me. Since I will not have the opportunity to speak for you, I will say a few words here.

You were the first love of my life. My first safe place. You taught me what unconditional love feels like; never once did I doubt your love for me. So many times in my life you reminded me of how proud I made you, and I know you meant it every time. Thank you, Dad.

When I became a mother for the first time you were over the moon, and Uriah immediately became your little buddy. When Mila was born and I told you her middle name is Lois in honor of your mom, you were so incredibly happy. Watching you with Uriah and Mila is one of the greatest blessings I will ever receive. I imagine you felt the same watching Grandma Jones with me. So many of my most cherished memories have you in them.

I knew this day would come but I never could have anticipated how completely shattered my heart would be when it did. As I said for Uncle Tommy, I know this pain is so raw and the grief is so strong because the love we have runs so deep. I know in time the wound will heal, but the scar will remain. You have always been and will forever be branded on my heart.

I try to take comfort in knowing you are back with your family who you have missed so much. But I will never understand the timing of this, of why now is when we have to turn the page. So, I guess I will have to lean on the words you used to read to me from our favorite book when I was a little girl:

“…The time has come.

The time is now.

…Marvin K. Mooney!

Don’t you know

the time has come

to go, Go, GO!

Marvin K. Mooney!

I don’t care HOW.

Marvin K. Mooney!

Will you please

GO NOW!

I said GO and GO I meant….

The time had come.

SO….

Marvin WENT.”

In memory of Marvin, please listen to an Eagles or Bob Seger song – “Turn the Page” was a favorite of his – or any song that takes you back to the good old days. Tell someone a story about him (his daughter would love to hear them too), toast him with a Rolling Rock beer, or simply call an old friend or loved one and remind them how much they mean to you. Say a prayer for him and for all of us who will never be the same without him.