Marvin Dean Johnson

To Marvin Dean Johnson, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, he was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around him, he seemed to be eternally happy, and he willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Marvin, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, he could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Marvin really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

His parents were George Alfred and Henrietta Johnson. Marvin was raised in Willmar, Minnesota. Even as a child, Marvin had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him. He was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. He couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention. He was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, he succeeded in entertaining his entire family.

Always a good playmate, Marvin was easygoing and fun loving. He managed to lighten the mood wherever he was, even during family squabbles. He seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Marvin managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Marvin was raised with 11 siblings. He had four older brothers, Harold, George, Laverne and Vernon, three older sisters, Evelyn, Henrietta and Rosetta, his twin brother Arvin and younger twin siblings Byrma and Bertran.

All of Marvin's playful good humor carried over into his childhood. He was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed him to be constantly on the go. As a result, Marvin experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited him very well. He took part in baseball and snow skiing. Marvin's memorable achievements included.

The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Marvin very easy to approach. He tried hard not to impose on his spouse. He was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.

Perhaps the reason Marvin related so well to children was the fact that he never really completely grew up himself. The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped him in raising his own children. Marvin was blessed with two, sons, Steven and Mark. They were also blessed with four grandchildren, Chad, Scott, Nickolas and Chantelle. Marvin had the ability to focus his attention on the present moment. If he was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of his attention was directed. Marvin's compassionate side prevented him from being a strict disciplinarian, and he could turn just about any situation into a playful, learning experience. He could spend hours entertaining them with fun and creative play. In fact, Marvin had a knack for turning some of those nasty old chores into games.

At work, as in life, Marvin was a real “people person.” He had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and his enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. Marvin liked to see himself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, Marvin was an adaptable realist, using his common sense and trusting his experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Marvin's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around him to see Marvin as an excellent problem solver. His primary occupation was flight engineer.

Marvin was an Army Air Corps and Marine Corps Veteran. He was in the Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1946, spending much of that time in Germany. From 1951 to 1968, Marvin was enlisted in the Marine Corps stationed at El Toro MCAS in California, Cherry Point, North Carolina and overseas in Iwakuni, Japan. Marvin saw action for three years during WW2, one year in the Korean Conflict and three twelve month tours of duty during the Vietnam War. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant. He received several awards including a Good conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Meritorious Mast Air Medal.

Marvin felt excited and challenged by sports. Even if he wasn’t the best, Marvin loved to participate and thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the pleasure of being around other people. Marvin relished the opportunities where he could make an impact, and he would often push himself to play above his abilities. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Marvin never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. Marvin was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were baseball and football.

Marvin had an endless appetite for new and different activities. He was always ready to join in the fun and add his flair and energy to an organization. Because of his personality, his humor, and his ability to get along with everyone, Marvin's service was greatly valued by the organizations to which he belonged. Throughout his later years, Marvin was an active member of the Elks.

A generous person who often wore his heart on his sleeve, Marvin often found himself involved in activities he deemed important. He was charitable, kind and giving, qualities that made him a natural volunteer. Politically, Marvin was a devoted Republican.

Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Marvin recognized that his faith was important to him throughout his life. He was a member of Redhill Lutheran Church for 54 years. During that time, he was an usher and "fix it" guy.

Living life in the fast lane suited Marvin just fine. It is no surprise that he loved to travel and to visit new and different places. He was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. He was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Favorite vacations included Park City, Lake Tahoe and the lakes of Minnesota.

Marvin was a lover of animals and cherished his pets, enjoying them almost as much as he enjoyed being around other people. One of Marvin's favorites was Duke, a German Shepherd Mix. His family was rounded out by Prince and Princess, his two other dogs, Yorkshire Terriers.

Marvin believed that you had to experience life, and his life in retirement was no different. When that day finally arrived in 1968 from the Marine Corps, 1988 from Civil Services, Marvin took it in stride as one more way to have fun. His new life involved remaining in Southern California. With his boundless energy and a desire to get the most out of life, Marvin remained busy with people and projects. Even in retirement, Marvin continued to stay in touch with his old friends and, since he'd never met a stranger, he made plenty of new acquaintances as well.

Marvin passed away on July 13, 2016 at in hospice care at home in Long Beach, California. He lived an active life until being taken suddenly in his last stage of life by cancer. He is survived by his wife, Cecilia, his children Steven and Mark, his grandchildren Chad, Scott, Nickolas and Chantelle, hist sister, Byrma and his brother, Berram (Bud). Services were held at Waverley Chapel at Fairhaven Memorial Park. Marvin was laid to rest in Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana, California.

Marvin brought joy to all of those around him. He never had a mean bone in his body. He loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. He loved to share his energy, wit, and his zest for all of his activities with his friends and family. Marvin Dean Johnson lived life to its fullest and made everyone around him happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile.