Mervin W. Colvin

Mervin W. Colvin “Merve” died at home on February 12, 2015 at age 87 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

He was born February 4th 1928 in San Pedro, California to Mervin L. and Nina (North) Colvin.

He was raised in southern California until 1944 when the family moved to Grants Pass, Oregon. In 1945 he graduated from Grants Pass High School. From July 1945 until August 1946 he served in the U.S. Navy. He also spent time in the U.S. Air Force. On January 20th 1951, in Grants Pass, he married Lorraine Burkett of Rogue River, Oregon. They lived for a short time in Odessa, Texas where Merve worked in the oil fields and then moved to southern California where he worked for Union Oil Co. for over eight years. In 1960 they returned to Grants Pass where they purchased an oil & gas distribution service. Colvin Oil Company is now in its 55th year of doing business.

Merve is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lorraine; two daughters, Dana Hayes and husband Greg and Debbie Burk and husband Mick; two sons, Mark Colvin and wife Lori and Lane Colvin and wife Teri; nine grandchildren, Casey (Anna) Hayes, Kyle Hayes, Lacey Burk, Riley (Kayla) Burk, Anna (Chad) Glass, Danielle (Derek) Kruiswyk, Kelsey Colvin, Justin Colvin and Courtney Colvin; and five great-grandchildren, Ella Hayes, Max Hayes, Ben Glass, Isaac Glass, and Dylan Kruiswyk.

Merve was a member of Grace Bible Church where he had attended since 1972. He was also a member of the Elks, Masons and Shriners.

Merve loved family get-togethers, airplanes, duck hunting and salmon fishing. He also loved the beach where he spent many hours body-surfing and surf fishing as a young man.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Bill Colvin.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 7, 2015 at Parkway Christian Center with Pastor Gary Elledge officiating. Private interment was held at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Those wishing may make remembrances to Lovejoy Hospice, 939 SE 8th Street, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526 or Grace Bible Church, 1555 NE 10th Street, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526 or Parkinson's Resources of Oregon, 3975 Mercantile Drive, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035.