Marvin Carl Thomas

Marvin Thomas, age 88, of Cave Junction, died October 16, 2019 at Royale Gardens Health & Rehabilitation Center.

Marvin was born December 31, 1930 in Anniston, Alabama to Marvin Renfro Thomas & Nellie Irene Thomas, the second of five children. At age 18, he joined the United States Navy, training at San Diego, and then Memphis Naval Air Station where he completed aircraft mechanic school. Following training, he went on to serve two combat cruises aboard the aircraft carrier USS Sicily during the Korean War, working up on the flight deck. After the service, Marvin fell in love with and married Emma Lou Arnett, whom he had been introduced to by his sister Dorothy, in Alabama. They married September 7, 1959 in Waterford, California. They remained happily married until Emma’s death on February 3, 2014, spending 57 glorious years together. After the military, Marvin worked for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation until 1960, when he moved to Central California, building his first home. In 1972 Marvin moved his family to Cave Junction, building again his own home. He retired from the U.S. Forest Service after many years working in the mountains surrounding the Illinois Valley, including firefighting.

Marvin attended Bridgeview Community Church up until the time of his death and was remembered for his pleasant smile. In the 1950s he was a member of a flying club, making long distance flights over Arizona in twin-engine light aircraft.

Marvin was for a time a volunteer firefighter at the old Holland Loop-Bridgeview fire station.

He was a skilled woodworker, and enjoyed gardening, travelling, and visiting the mountains surrounding the Illinois Valley. Marvin learned to fly at a young age and loved taking to the skies in his small airplane.

Survivors include daughter Hope Irene Roll; son Mark Gregory Thomas; sisters Norma Jean and Doris Rebecca; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Emma; his parents; sister Dorothy; and brother Ralph.

A celebration of life will be at 2:00 p.m., October 25, 2019 at Bridgeview Community Church in Cave Junction.

A public viewing will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., October 26, 2019 at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors in Grants Pass.

Private interment will be at Laurel Cemetery.