Things I remember about Marvin: the annual CDS/LINX Christmas party. Marvin re-aligning his home-built Heathkit TV every December. His beagle doing a Snoopy impression on top of the dog house. Demonstrating a proper Judo fall on the mat of an expensive San Francisco Japanese restaurant and all the waiters rushing in to find out what that loud bang was and why that white guy is lying on the floor. Having to explain why the "pool table" in the center of the room is a bit smaller than it should be. "Dave, I'm never going to get one of those cellular phones, because my car is the last place I can go to get away from the phone!" Stories about the engineers down the hall at Texas Instruments who were inventing the LED watch, the Silent 700, and other breakthroughs while he worked there. I think I only ever saw him get mad one time, and that was when he was defending me. RIP my friend, you are already sorely missed.

Marvin remains the leader I compare all others to. When the tiny firm that became Linx Data Terminals was founded, Marvin honored me, an uncivilized kid, by asking me to join his new venture. Our four person band started out in Marvin's offices in a Richardson business park, only to grow over many years into a significant engineering and manufacturing company. 

Marvin taught me that the only way to do business was straight up and honest; he would walk away from any deal that didn't smell right -- in short, he epitomized the best, most natural morality in every aspect of both his business and personal life. I loved him more than I can say, and our world will be forever a bit less with his passing.


I can't say enough good things about the man who started my career. When I got out of the army I had no software development experience. Marvin took a chance on me and the growth both professional and personal that I experienced under his mentorship changed me forever. I have since worked at all sorts of places, all sizes of organizations. None have had the impact or created the life long connections like those that blossomed under Marvin's thoughtful approach and leadership. I am grateful that I was lucky enough to have crossed paths with Marvin and been even a small part of the LINX story.

Marvin and I went all through school in Enid.  Roosevelt, 1st grade. on the playground, I had a little scotty dog pin on my coat.  The tail stuck up.  Marvin found a ring on the playground, put it on the tail of the pin and said, "Now we are married"  We lived on east Oklahoma Street  next door to one another.  Then I moved a block away to Park Street, 1117 E. Park; but Marvin and I were good friends always.  Condolences to his family..his wife!!   Peggy

John Hallmark
March 21, 2019

I was Marvin’s business partner and friend for 32 years. He was a bright, honest person
capable of intense concentration and exceptional creativeness. He treated everyone that he met
politely and he followed the dictates of his personal integrity in everything he did.

The kindness and support that he provided to everyone in the LINX family was sincere and
unwavering. After he developed some to the point they were qualified to pursue better paying
positions elsewhere, they departed with his full consent and recommendation. More than once, I
was later told that working for Marvin was the best job they ever had.

Marvin’s love of golf is well established. After looking at the ball contact points on his irons, I
made a conscious decision to never expose him to my hacker-level talent. During the 10 years
we provided ticket security for “The Masters”, his Christmas season seemed to last until April
and our Masters-related discussions went on until the next one came around. That he and
others were able to attend the tournament and sometimes play a round at Augusta afterwards is
only a single footnote in his remarkable career, which evolved from very meager beginnings into
his life-work when he founded his 1-man company in 1977 that became LINX Data Terminals.

The LINX family lost a keeper on March 19th. I miss him already.

Marvin was nothing but a class act in everything he did from family to business to sports especially golf. Not only did he like golf but he was very good at it like most sports. But, he was methodical about the way he approached golf from practice to what he took to the course. I will never forget how organized he was, I will never forget that when he laid his wedges down on the green after a chip or sand shot they were exactly parallel and even not just dropped like mine. So for years now I try to lay my clubs down as close as I can to what he did and I call it a Marvin and think of him. I will continue to do that and think of him.

God Bless Marvin

Jim

I worked with Marvin for the last fifteen years. I was even more fortunate to have had
him as a friend. Our offices were just down the hall from each other and Marvin 
would stop by every day for a cup of coffee or a bottle of water and we would have
a chat. There were so many things that Marvin accomplished in his life that he 
never boasted about, such as winning a national championship on the Oklahoma
State baseball team, directing Air Force fighter jets on where to land and many
other things, not to mention that he was responsible for many people having jobs
for many years. I could go on but I'll stop here. In summary, on March 19, 2019, we
all lost a good friend and we will always remember him.

Marvin was awesome!  I loved playing golf with Marvin.  He had a quick wit was was simply fun to play with,  he was always someone who was glad to help you with your swing, and he actually knew what he was talking about.  I will miss Marvin. 

Marvin will be missed. I met him at Gleneagles 25 years ago. He was a phenomenal athlete but an even better person. Marvin was a dedicated husband and worked hard at his company to provide jobs for many people. He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed help whether with a golf swing or advice on life. Marvin told the group many stories of growing up with nothing and of course was a self made man with an engineering degree from Oklahoma State which he was very proud of.  Rest In Peace Marvin....you made a difference in this life.

Bright, Calculated, Mentor, Supporter, Leader and Friend are the labels most defined by my association with Marvin.  His description of being able to play Augusta National in tournament condition after The Masters is one of the most telling of Marvin's approach to life.  He described that he had a great round going while experiencing a challenging shot into the last green.  He knew he should lay up to protect his low score but said "you just don't lay up when there is chance to excel at Augusta".   Our world is diminished with his passing!

Marvin was a quiet, kind man who was extremely brilliant. He was always supportive of my family, both when I was young, and when I had my own family. He will be missed!

OBITUARIO

Marvin Dean Kline

15 noviembre, 1935 – 19 marzo, 2019

Ted Dickey West Funeral Home

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