Marvin Emerson Sapp

Marvin E. Sapp, 93, a lifelong Boone County resident, passed away peacefully surrounded by his girls on Monday, December 8, 2025, in Columbia. Visitation will be on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 10:30am-12p at Memorial Funeral Home 1217 Business Loop 70 West Columbia, MO. Funeral Service will begin at 12pm followed by committal service with Military Honors in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Marvin was born July 11, 1932, in Boone County; one of two sons, to Fred and Ina Mae Grindstaff Sapp. The home in which he was raised still stands in south Columbia. In 1949, he graduated from Hickman High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society and then joined the US Army. He served in Korea and was honorably discharged after his service. He worked over 20 years with the Columbia Fire Department, then worked for the US Postal Service until full retirement. He worked these jobs to support his family while also doing the work he loved the most, farming. He volunteered for the Boone County Historical Society with his wife, Kathleen, and was recently inducted as a Board Member Emeritus for the McBaine Levy District. He served as a longtime Mayor of The Village of McBaine. His Father Fred, Brother Robert, and he donated the land for the Perche Creek Boat Ramp. He recently donated land to the Huntsdale Baptist Church that is used as their parking lot. He was a 51-year member of the Eagles Lodge and a longtime member of the American Legion Post 0202 in Columbia. He was an avid baseball fan and skilled player, earning two designations from the MO State All-star team. He played baseball well into his 70s and then played slow-pitch softball into his 80s. He also coached his daughters in sports when they were growing up.

He is survived by his children, Pat (Glenn) Wehmeyer of Rocheport, Pam (Mac) Cook of Columbia, Paula Sapp-Netemeyer of Centralia, Priscilla (Bob Aitkens) Stone of Clark, Portia (Jerry) O’Laughlin of Harrisburg, Johnny (Connie) Morris of Tuscaloosa, AL, Jane Harrison of Columbia, Larry Morris of Jefferson City, and Kathi Jones of Steedman; twenty-six grandchildren, thirty-seven great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren; a nephew, Randy (Jenny) Sapp; three great nieces & nephews, three great-great-nieces and nephews; and a sister-in-law, Jane Sapp. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Ina Mae Sapp, his brother Robert Sapp; three wives, Betty Watson, Patsy Sapp, and Kathleen Sapp; sons, Joe Morris, and Mike Fornear; grandsons, Chase Senor, and Dylan Jones; and a niece, Debbie Walther.