Charlotte - Jack, 92, passed away on Sunday, May 26th, 2013 in Charlotte, NC. The fourth of four children, he was born Jack Lowry Marvin in Hendersonville, SC on November 2nd, 1920 to the late Charles and Josephine Marvin.
Jack served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a fighter pilot, from December 1942 through January 1946. He flew a total of 191 combat missions in the P-39 Bell Airacobra and the P-47 Thunderbolt, while in the Southwest Pacific. He achieved the rank of Captain, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters.
Before shipping out to the Southwest Pacific, Jack met Betty Beatrice Jacky, who was in Nurse’s Training in San Francisco. They corresponded with each other throughout the war. When he returned from overseas, he married Betty at Chico Army Airbase in CA, where Jack served as a Flight Instructor in the P-38 Lightning.
After his military service, Jack attended Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, MD and graduated with a Teacher’s Certificate in 1951. In 1955, he started employment with the Prudential Insurance Company and earned the Chartered Life Underwriters Certification. He retired in 1983 with 28 years of service.
Throughout the years, Jack kept up his professional music career as a tenor soloist and choir director. He sang with the Baltimore Opera Company, having once sung with Beverly Sills. He also performed with Patricia Neway at Peabody, in a production of Amahl and the Night Visitors. He sang in many of the churches and synagogues in the Baltimore-Washington area. His last notable position was with the Men and Boys’ Choir of Old Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church. They traveled on concert tours in England, Scotland and France, and had the privilege of performing for President Ronald Reagan at the White House.
In 2000, Jack and Betty relocated to Charlotte, NC in order to be closer to family.
All throughout his life he enjoyed music, baseball, painting, reading, and most of all, spending time with his family. He always was thrilled to support his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting and musical events. But most of all, he was devoted to Betty, his wife of 67 years, who truly was the love of his life.
Jack is survived by his wife, Betty Jacky Marvin, and their children, Patricia Marvin Weiler and her husband Steve, Steven Marvin, and Rick Marvin and his wife Martha; also, his grandchildren: Rebecca Chefran and her husband Yosi, Sarah Weiler, Daniel Marvin, Ross Marvin, Chad Marvin, Ricky Marvin, David Marvin, Stephanie Marvin; and his first great-grandchild, Noa Chefran. Jack was predeceased by his son, Robert Marvin; his brothers, Charles and Joseph Marvin; and his sister, Sara Bethune.
A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held at Avondale Presbyterian Church on June 15, 2013 at 12:00 pm, with Dr. John Earl officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to Avondale Presbyterian Church, 2821 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209.
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