Marvin King Sr.

Marvin Edward King, Sr., 94, passed away on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.  Marvin was born in Sparkman, Arkansas, to George Walter King and Tennie Ada King, on January 24, 1927.

Marvin is preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Jessie Tielke, Bud King and G.W. King, Jr.; and his wife, LaVonne King.  Bud made the Navy his career and G.W. was lost to war in North Luzon during WWII.  Marvin continued the military tradition of his family when he enlisted in the Army before he completed high school.  Entering the war after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in 1945, he deployed to Sendai, Japan, where he was responsible for destroying Japanese underground bunkers.  Corporal King also trained on the M18 Hellcat tank destroyer before redeploying to the U.S.

After his tour of duty, Marvin returned to his family in Ganado, Texas, to finish high school.  He met LaVonne (Vonnie) Lindberg, who was in her first year of teaching school.  A little over a year after his graduation, they were married on December 17, 1950, and enjoyed over 63 years together.

Marvin attended electrician’s school and was skilled in carpentry and general mechanics.  He and Vonnie moved to Sweeny in 1950 where he worked for Dow, and she taught school.  In 1955, the couple moved to Boerne, Texas, and worked with Vonnie’s parents at Cascade Caverns for another five years.  Mac, their son, was born in 1957.  In 1960, they moved to Lake Jackson, Texas, where Marvin owned and operated a Phillips 66 station in the city’s downtown.  Always feeling like Sweeny was home, they moved back in 1961.  Marvin worked many years with Ada Oil Company in Old Ocean before taking a position with Sweeny Independent School District.  He then worked 10 years at the Phillips refinery before retiring.

He was an active member of Sweeny First Baptist Church for 65 years.

Marvin was a hard worker who continually had several projects, large and small, going at any time.  He and Vonnie enjoyed many hours of entertainment with domino-playing friends.  They spent many vacations camping with close friends in New Mexico and Colorado.  Over more than 30 years, they tirelessly worked side-by-side building a cabin in Cloudcroft, New Mexico.  Time spent in the mountains was very dear to both of them.

Marvin is survived by his son Mac King and wife Barbara.

The family will welcome friends, family, and loved ones on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church Sweeny, 402 N. Main St., with funeral services to follow at 10:30 a.m., with Pastor Warren Rayburn officiating. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to First Baptist Church Sweeny.