SMITH, Marvin Lee - b. July 14, 1938 - d. September 19, 2016

[patyrn]

Marvin Lee Smith, 78, of Pittsburg, Kansas, died on Monday, September 19, 2016 at the Via Christi Village Nursing Facility in Pittsburg.  He was born in Moline, Kansas, the son of Wesley Morton and Zeta Mae (Forester) Smith. 

Marvin grew up in Moline and attended school there, graduating from Moline High School in 1956.  He and Donna Jo Wilson were married there on September 27, 1957.  Marvin and Donna moved to Pittsburg in 1958 while Marvin continued his education at what is now Pittsburg State University.  He took a two year break while he taught all eight grades at two different rural schools in Missouri.  After he returned to college, he changed is major and graduated from PSU in 1966 with a degree in Recreation.  He began working for the City of Pittsburg as Assistant Recreation Director and left that job when it was eliminated in 1971.

In 1972, Marvin began working for Gene Bicknell was was in the process of getting Pitt Plastics into production.  He worked a swing shift for four years and then continued into other positions in the company.  He worked for Pitts Plastics for 31 years, retiring as a plant manager in October 2003. 

His biggest project following retirement was restoring a 1946 Ford pickup with the help of two neighbors, later participating in local car shows.  He loved the outdoors and spent as much time outside as possible, even if it was just to work in the yard.  He liked to hunt and fish with friends and didn't miss a deer season for many years, adding several mounted racks to his den walls.

Marvin spent a lot of time on softball diamonds, coaching several teams and then playing softball and basketball until his 40s.  He followed KU basketball and the St. Louis Cardinals since high school and was a fan and supporter of PSU Athletics.  He was involved with Westside PTA and the Pittsburg PTA.  More recently, he was a member of the Sperry-Gallagher Audubon Society and felt privileged to serve on the Board of Directors for the Homer Cole Community Center.

Survivors include his wife, Donna of the home; two daughters, Lisa Richey of Kalamazoo, Michigan and Shana Plasters and husband, Ross of Burlington, North Carolina; two brothers, Vernon Smith and his wife, Karen of Coffeyville, Kansas and Richard Smith and his wife, Joan of Linwood, Kansas; three grandchildren, Jeremy Wilson and his wife, Mandy, Ryan Plasters, and Rachael Plasters; and a great-grandson, Parker Wilson.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at the Moline City Cemetery in Moline, Kansas with Pastor Dena Allison officiating. Condolences may be sent to www.bathnaylor.com.  Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, Homer Cole Community Center, or the Elk Falls Methodist Church in Elk Falls, Kansas and may be sent to the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, Kansas 66762 which is in charge of arrangements.

(taken from the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home website)