James L. Marvin

Jim Marvin died May 2, 2017 at his Colorado Spring home. He was raised in St. Paul, MN, the youngest of four boys. A bright and precocious young man with great curiosity, he attended University of Minnesota HS and then earned his college degree there despite all the hours he spent water skiing on the St. Croix River. The boys he skied with from Easter to Thanksgiving remained his lifelong friends.

All of the people who knew Jim remember his very unique personality, his love of humorous one liners, and his genuine zest for living. Jim began his working career in Chicago. When he met Sue there, he sold his E Class sailboat to buy her an engagement ring. They cherished their 61 years of marriage and all the joys and frustrations of raising four children. Jim spent his early working career with American Yearbook Company in Topeka, KS, then took on other pursuits and moved his family to Colorado Springs in 1976.

Jim loved skiing in the Colorado mountains with his children and friends. As a “numbers guy” Jim loved to track his daily vertical. Sue was an avid golfer and while Jim really didn’t enjoy golf, and knew he wasn’t very good at it, he persisted because he loved the camaraderie and constant laughs with three of his special friends.

Sue’s interest in foreign travel broadened his horizons and together they traveled the world. At times they pursued their interest in genealogy by seeking the European birthplaces of their ancestors.

Jim had a serious side, too: political involvement was as necessary to him as breathing. An unrepentant fiscal conservative, he served actively in local politics. As a Pizza Hut franchisee Jim lobbied Congress to eliminate government inefficiencies and establish small-business friendly regulations. He took a quiet interest in the people around him, mentoring and enabling them to reach higher than their dreams.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sue, and their four children: Laura Cribari (David), Thomas, Julia Dito (Peter), and David; and grandchildren Tyler, Lauren, Jacob, Jessica, Nicole, Elizabeth and John.

Jim was a long time member of Rotary and actively supported the organization’s work eliminating polio worldwide. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collections Drive, Chicago, IL 60693.

The family will celebrate Jim’s life with a casual gathering at The Country Club of Colorado from 2-4 on Friday May 12. The family invites all who knew him to join the gathering.

The carved wood plaque at the entry of the family home describes Jim so well:

Lord, let me bring something of worth to all who share my days on earth.

Let something I have said or done remain when I have traveled on,

To prove the man I tried to be and make men glad they walked with m