Marvin Edward Thompson

Marvin Edward Thompson, age 89, was born March 31, 1935 and passed away at home surrounded by loved ones on April 9, 2024.Marvin was born in his home in Columbus County, North Carolina, the son of T.J. and Myrtle Sellers Thompson. He grew up in a hard-working and loving family with his siblings – Nellie, Florene, Therlon, and Odell. At the age of 17, Marvin joined the U.S. Navy and was soon stationed in Coronado, California. After honorable service in the Navy as a ship tender captain/pilot, he met Joyce Roslee.They wed in 1955 in San Diego and had two daughters, Becky Thompson Beckner and Wendy Thompson Parker.

Marvin and his family returned to Raleigh, North Carolina to join Greenbrier Construction, his father’s home construction business. After several years, he became a partner in the business along with his siblings, building homes in the Raleigh, Garner and Cary area. Marvin later struck out on his own and established Joy-Mar Homes, Inc. In 1987, Marvin and his daughters sadly lost Joyce to cancer. Through mutual friends Marvin met Vicky White Venable, to whom he was married for 35 years.Over the course of his 40+ years as a general contractor, Marvin developed neighborhoods and built hundreds of homes across Wake County.

He started building in 1960 in Greenbrier Estates and went on to various communities including Colonial Heights, Coronado Village, Meredith Woods, Silverton, Wimbledon, Preston, Regency Estates, and Oak Chase. He was well known for his quality construction and received peer recognition through numerous Parade of Homes awards. It was important to Marvin that every home he built had a satisfied owner. Marvin enjoyed golfing with his friends Phil Flinchum, Len Walker, Jim Boyette, Bob Boling, and many others.

He loved playing gin with his family, breakfast at Melba’s, the beach, traveling and making the most of life with his great sense of humor. Marvin loved cars and would be on the hunt for whatever you wanted if you mentioned it to him. Marvin loved hosting his large family at their home and his family felt his generosity and love.

Marvin leaves behind his loving and devoted wife, Vicky White Thompson, brother Odell (Gay) Thompson, daughters Becky (Duane) Beckner, Wendy (William) Parker, stepdaughter Tonia Venable Hines, stepson David (Jennifer) Venable; grandchildren Heather (Jason) Faircloth, Matthew Rhodes, Adeline Hines, Ashton Hines, Estelle Venable and Will Venable; great grandchildren Kyndall and Jessi Faircloth and numerous other nieces, nephews, and family members.

Marvin is predeceased by his parents; TJ and Myrtle, his siblings Nellie, Florene and Therlon, and first wife, Joyce.

Marvin’s Celebration of Life service will be held at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary on Friday, April 12, 2024 at 6pm.