Edward Anthony “Ted” Marvin

Edward Anthony "Ted" Marvin age 89, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away on October 15, 2020 at McCrite Plaza Health Center. Born on January 30, 1931 in Charlottesville, Virginia to Samuel Wesley Marvin and Lois Bradford Marvin, he grew up on a peach and apple orchard in Greenwood, Virginia where he Greenwood Schools and Virginia Episcopal School.

He married Helen Alderman in 1954 and from this union were born daughters, Denise Dean Marvin and Kimberly Bradford Marvin.  On October 3, 1964 he married Louise Smith O'Brien with whom he enjoyed 56 years of married life.  He adopted her daughter from a previous marriage, Susan Louise O'Brien, following their marriage.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force at Washington, D.C., in September of 1950, serving as an Air Force mechanic.  He graduated from the USAF Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as an aircraft commander and pilot of C-130 aircraft.  While stationed at Clark AFB, in the Philippines, he flew missions into Vietnam.  He was also an Instructor Pilot, training new personnel as they joined the unit.  In 1970 he retired as Major in the USAF after 20 years.

After his retirement from the USAF, he worked at the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad in Information Services, Topeka, Kansas, retiring in 1987.

Ted and Louise had a passion for traveling.  They loved visiting their grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as other family and friends across the country.  They traveled in various RV's with their dog and cat (Misty and Oliver), visiting all 50 states and many national parks.  Later they traveled by Amtrak train throughout the country.  Their favorite route was Chicago to San Francisco.

Throughout their marriage, Ted and Louise loved playing games - nightly games of cribbage, dominoes  and gin rummy - and monthly games of Mahjong.  Having fun was high on their list of priorities.

Ted loved God, his country, his family, and his life.  He was a good man.

He is survived by his wife, daughters Susan Marvin Mabry (Dan Jacob), Topeka, KS; Denise (Chris) Marvin Dennehy, Beacon, NY; and Kimberley Marvin Linthicum, Delray Beach, FL; grandchildren Andrea (Scott) Odendahl, Bentley, KS, Christine (Travis) Cottrell, Derby, KS, Douglas (Amanda) Mabry, Sedgwick, KS, Ben (Ashley) Mabry, Newton, KS, Zack (Brandy) Mabry, Halstead, KS, Josh (Chelsea) Mabry, Columbus, OH, Rhyan (TJ) Dildine, Delray Beach, FL, Emma and Sam Dennehy, Beacon, NY; great-grandchildren Braeden, Bryant and Brock Odendahl, Mabry and Royce Trowbridge, Gracie, Liam, Adler, Isabell, James, Maggie, Addison, Rhilynn, Gabby, Tori, and Vivian Mabry, Flossie and Foxworth Dildine; as well as other family members, including very special nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Samuel W. Marvin, Houston, Texas and his sister, Molly Mendenhall, Greenwood, VA.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to Midland Care Hospice and to McCrite Plaza, especially their nursing staff, for the competent, loving care that Ted received.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. David's Episcopal Church, 3916 SW 17th Street, Topeka, KS 66604, or Midland Care Hospice, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606.

A celebration of life service will be held at St. David's Episcopal Church at a later date.