Marvin Gale Black

Marvin Gale Black of Bartlesville died Thursday in Bartlesville. The 85 year old Air Force veteran honorably served his country and his life’s journeys eventually brought him back home to Bartlesville and family. Marvin was born the son of John Elmer and Etta Irene (Seal) Black on May 30, 1937, near West Port, Indiana on a farm. The boys remember Marvin’s stories fondly. One childhood tale which stood out in particular was about a goat of all things. John bought Marvin & Judy a goat and a cart to pull them around the farm. The goat got loose and ate the fruit trees that he had just planted. The goat and the cart were replaced by an old pickup. After graduating from high school, Marvin had gone on to serve in the U.S. Air Force. While in the service, one of his service stations was Radar Hill in Bartlesville. Here, he met Genevieve Shaw, fell in love, married her and they had three boys, Clayton, Brian and Steven. Marvin completed his college degree at Indiana University in 1961 and started his teaching career which took him to St Louis where he transitioned from teaching to accounting with Wagoner Electric. Nabisco lured him to New Jersey until his retirement. Marvin initially retired to Indiana to be closer to his siblings and then to Bartlesville in 2009 to be closer to the boys. Marvin liked to stay active and keep physically fit. He enjoyed walking and was part of a group at the hospital called the Silver Sneakers. He was a skilled storyteller whether they were true or not, but they were always based on his many life experiences. The boys remember his fascination with properly filtered water, and the elaborate filtration system he had at home was his pride and joy. Marvin had a big heart and loved to help others. Everyone at the care center loved him back. Marvin is survived by his sons, Clayton (Kimberly Meyers) Black, Brian (Melanie) Black and Steven (Robi) Black; siblings Jimmy (Rebecca) Black and Judy; 4 grandchildren, TJ (Jamie) Black, Ashley (Ryan) Thierry, Jennifer Black and Brian Austin (Jillian) Black; and 8+1 great grandchildren Lila, Theo, Jack, Dylan, Kendall, Nora, Benny, Maxwell with one on the way. Services will be held on Friday, 10 a.m., at the Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel, 4201 Nowata Road, Bartlesville, OK. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Marvin Gale Black

May 30, 1937 - February 23, 2023