Marvin Ray Whitaker Sr.

Our "Marvelous Marv" - Marvin Ray Whitaker Sr. left for his mission with his Savior, Jesus Christ 6/29/23, with love and farewells from his eathly family, welcomed and cheered by family and friends on "the other side of the veil".

 

His quick demise from cecal-colon cancer was only a sprint into his joy and mission call for his Lord, Jesus Christ to reach and touch the hearts of many as to the truthfulness and "plan of happiness" for all of Heavenly Father's children, which he has so lovingly done during his earth life.  He treasured and excelled in what he considered his most important responsibilities to his family and fellow beings, that of being of service, sharing his talents and gifts which he joyfully did with every opportunity as well as being a living testimony of his love and beliefs of his Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

He never deviated from his commitments to his Heavenly Father, as a father and husband, faithfully magnifying every responsibility with love and harmony.  He presided in his home with gentle authority, kindness, love, patience, harmony, and humor.  To be known and loved by him was a true and treasured blessing.  He never hesitated to listen, guide and offer his profound testimony to a new acquaintance or seasoned friend.  You knew this wonderful man cared about you and could be trusted.

 

Marv was born on 1/19/1950 in Long Beach, CA.  He grew up in Orange County, S. CA. supported by a cheering bunch of family and relatives who were faithful in attending his many games in sports from age 6-17.  It was always a thrill to watch this gifted athlete who was a star baseball pitcher, a track phenomenon who could run the 100 meters dash in under 10 seconds, and a star football legend chosen by The Orange County Register News for Southern California even decades later in 1989 listing "Marvelous Marv" Whitaker as one of the "Best Players of All Time", as he was a quarterback for Garden Grove H.S., then switching to Santa Ana H.S., as their defensive back, a new position for Marv.  He played in the Hollywood Bowl Shrine Games and was a speaker and supporter of many charities.  He certainly had a large fan following and helped sell a lot of newspapers!

 

After many college football full scholarships offered to him from the top teams in the nation, at age 17, Marv prayerfully chose Colorado University, Boulder CO.,  one of the best at that time.  "Marvelous Marv" was one of their "Big Money Players", playing amazing games in many of their Bowl Games, as they were rated #3 in the Nation, only losing 2 games, one only to the #2 & #1 teams in the nation.  He was later drafted by professional teams as well, but after a severe shoulder injury that literally kept him from being drafted into the Vietnam War, he decided not to pursue professional football.  He completed his education and was a true entrepreneur.

 

It was at CU that Marv was taught by the L.D.S. missionaries along with his L.D.S. football and roommate, his good friend, Jon Keyworth who would go on to play for the Denver Broncos, the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  With all the zeal of his outstanding character, he embraced the gospel and was baptized,  He turned his life over to Christ and was an amazing and enthusiastic missionary all of his life.

 

Marv married Susan Schapel, a long-time friend from his teenage years. Together they had 3 children, Jeremy, Clinton/(Irene), and Brook.  They were later sealed in the L.D.S. Los Angeles Temple. They divorced 9 years later in 1980.

 

Marv and Joyce Hare Krumenacker later met in 1980 at a church function and were married in the L.D.S. Los Angeles Temple, on 12-20-1980.  They brought Joyce's 3 children from her previous marriage, Josh-6, Nichole-4, and Kellie-3 together with Marv's 3 children, Jeremy-10, Clinton-8, and Brook-7,  They were dubbed "The Brady Bunch".  Marv was 30 and Joyce was 27.  Together their family was blessed with 4 more children, Marvin Jr., Bethany, Noelle, and Christian/(Lauren) over the next 17 years, totaling 10 children, plenty to play the fun family games of baseball and football!  This family was blessed to mesh together in perfect harmony, a bit of chaos, bounteous love, laughter, and a whole lot of fun!

 

Professionally, Marv had a great entrepreneurial gift. He worked in insurance, managing as well as starting his own agency throughout his life. In the late 1980s and for the next decade, Marv and Joyce worked together pioneering and developing a worldwide telecommunications sales force with their company, Telecom Research Consultants, (TRC) with hundreds of sales reps and offices located throughout the world, with tens of thousands of international customers.  They developed a niche market telecommunications product, "Militel" serving worldwide U.S. military personnel who served away from their families in "hardship deployments".  It kept the treasured calls of the real-time voice calls of loved ones and families connected throughout the world.  It was also tremendous competition for the local foreign countries in telecommunication pricing. 

 

Marv was a long-time favorite youth coach for ages 5-16 in baseball and football leagues in Davis County, UT.  Coach Whitaker was loved for his gift to inspire the development of self and team confidence, sportsmanship, focus, goals, and fun.  He helped his players reach for their best focusing straight through their fears tapping into their potential, and growing their confidence and joy.

 

Marv loved serving for over 53 years in all of his callings in the L.D.S. Church focusing on Jesus Christ, they were the highlights of his life's mission.  He served in Elder Quorum  Presidencies, years as a youth Seminary teacher, and adult Gospel Doctrine teacher, in Sunday School Presidencies in wards and stakes, Ward and Stake  Missionary Presidencies, and his favorite-Home and Ministering Teacher for 53 years, developing great friendships with testimony building love and support.

 

Marv was preceded in death by his father, Melvin Whitaker, his mother, Evilyn Lindley Whitaker Birdwood, step-father Walley Birdwood, and elder brothers Pete Peterson, and Mike Whitaker.  He is survived by his 2 elder sisters, Judith Whitaker Humberson/(Darrel) and Linda Whitaker Barrett.  Also by his wife of 43 years, Joyce Hare Whitaker, children Jeremy, Clinton/(Irene), Brook, Marvin Jr., Bethany, Noelle, Christian/(Lauren), and stepchildren, Josh Krumenacker, Nichole/(Andy) Bourdelais, Kellie Alcala and 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson.

 

There will be a Cloud HD Video Meeting, zoom.us link line as well as a recording available at meeting ID 986 3578 2748 for the funeral services for our "Marvelous Marv" which will be held this Saturday, 7/15/23 at the L.D.S. Church, "Rock Church" on 272 N. Main St., Farmington, UT 84025 starting at 2 P.M. in the chapel.  Family and Friends may also visit with family in the Relief Society room from 1 P.M. to 1:45 P.M. followed by a family prayer and together enter the chapel in the family seating at 2 P.M.  The service will be followed with greetings in the cultural hall and displays of Marv's life for guests and sharing of memories with a microphone for all those that wish to share.  A family dinner will follow afterward.  Marv will be transported later the following week to be buried at the Sutton Cemetery in Archer, ID in our family plot as his resting place with loved ones.

 

Thank you for all the loving support, friendships, condolences, and cards so tenderly expressed to our family. If flowers are wished to be sent, they may be sent to the Whitaker home, just across the street from the church at 75 E. 300 N., Farmington, UT 84025.  May the best of blessings fill your hearts and homes, this is our prayer from Marv and Joyce Whitaker's Family.