Darrel Ray Marvel

Darrel Ray Marvel, 96, of Keene, NH, passed away from cancer in his home early in the afternoon of January 30, 2016, four days after his birthday. He was attended by his wife of more than 68 years Billie Sue Granot Marvel, and his two sons Terry Lee and Mark Alan Marvel.

Darrel was born January 26, 1920, in Forgan, in the panhandle of Oklahoma. Darrel spoke proudly of his formative experiences there during the Dust Bowl when “we learned to make do with little and appreciate what we had. Everyone was in the same situation. We never thought of ourselves as poor.”

In 1942, before he was able to complete college (Southwestern Methodist College, Winfield, KS; Northwestern State College, Alva, OK), Darrel was inducted into the U.S. Army. After training as an Aviation Engineer, he was sent to Okinawa in the southern Pacific shortly after the initial invasion. There he constructed landing fields as Japanese snipers and a typhoon harassed operations. In 1946, Darrel followed an army buddy, who had taught him typewriter repair, to Oklahoma City, OK, to work in the Service Department of Underwood Corporation. While working there, a secretary at the office (Bettie Lue Granot) introduced him to her twin sister Billie, whom he married on October 3, 1947.

From 1958 through the 1970s, Darrel and Billie operated Marvel Business Machines in Lawton, OK, as agents for Underwood (later Olivetti Corporation), as well as raising a family. Darrel’s amiable character, hospitable nature, patience and tenacity enabled him to succeed in business and build enduring relationships with family and friends. Over the years, his free time included fishing, camping, water skiing, square dancing, motorcycling, and travels ranging from Hawaii to the Rocky Mountains to Europe and South America. Darrel loved to build and fix things throughout his life. He extensively remodeled five of their homes and oversaw construction of one. He even kept their Toastmaster, a wedding gift, in good working order for 64 years until it was ruined in a house fire.

In 1973, Darrel and Billie moved to Rush Springs, OK, and later nearby Marlow, OK, where during “retirement” they ran Marlow Business Machines and a Radio Shack franchise, and were socially active with their community. In 2012, Darrel’s son Mark and his wife Jama Carrier Marvel invited them into their home in Keene, NH, where Billie continues to reside.

Asked just a few days before his passing, what his secret was to having such a long life, Darrel simply replied, “a day at a time.” Indeed, each day Darrel embraced the simple riches he encountered. In addition to his wife and two sons and their spouses, Darrel is survived by one brother (Santa Fe, NM), three grandsons and nine great granddaughters.

A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at 1:00 pm at the Grace Community Evangelical Free Church, 49 Old Swanzey Rd, Spofford, NH 03462.

Fletcher Funeral Home and Cremation Services (www.fletcherfuneralhome.com), 33 Marlboro St, Keene has been entrusted with the arrangements.