Marvin S. King's Obituary
Marvin Sellers King (“Marv”), devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2017, in Dallas, Texas, following complications from a fall. Marvin was born on March 19, 1938, in Lakeland, Florida, to Russell and Ann King, who preceded him in death, as did his brother Russell, Jr.Marvin spent childhood and young adult years in Tallahassee and Tampa. The happiest summers growing up were near Arcadia, Florida in the rural community of Pine Level, swimming in the Peace River with his older brother Russell and best friends, “Punk” and “JB” and roaming the neighboring orange groves with his beloved grandmother, Nanny Zula. Later educated at the University of Florida and Florida State University, Marvin spent 50 years as a financial services professional, with a practice in insurance, estate planning and individual financial planning. He was the General Agent for years in Dallas for the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company and later opened a smaller practice with Jan T. Mohamed, before retiring several years ago to manage a smaller individual firm with The Retirement Group. Marvin earned many industry designations, including CFP, CHFC and CLU. He was a past president of the DFW Financial Planning Association and a founding board member of the Greater Dallas Business Ethics Award.Marvin and his wife, Sharon S. King, met and married in Atlanta, Georgia in 1967, and moved to Richardson, Texas in 1975, where he led the Connecticut General office in North Dallas, and where he lived until his death. He and Sharon raised three wonderful daughters in the Richardson Schools and at Austin College in Sherman: Jennifer ( husband, Chris Thompson), and grandchildren Asher and Kate of Dallas; Michele King and grandson Mackenzie Allan, Austin, Texas; and Brittany King and husband Mike Harrell, Austin, Texas. Sharon and Marvin years ago extended their family to Kristin Farmer, who is a daughter to them, and her children, Sienna and Christopher, for whom he was simply Dad and Grandpa. Marvin leaves behind his younger sister whom he adored, Suzy Brand, of Tallahassee, Florida; his brother Roy and wife Nok, of Jupiter, Florida, brother in law, Dick Scott of Portland, Oregon, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Special also to Marvin and Sharon are all the members of the Thompson family and of the Rice family who embraced them as their own for many years.Marvin’s best time was spent with his life partner of a half century, Sharon, and their sheltie Miley on their backyard deck admiring the trees and sunset over a glass of red wine, or visiting with his daughters, sons in law and precious grandchildren. He was the ultimate grandpa who could go on creek walks, dig in the garden, or play soccer. He played soccer for 30 years as number 15 with the Big Dogs and was devoted to the sport, sometimes traveling to San Diego for the National Senior Tournament. Other pleasures were reading mysteries, annual trips to Big Bend Park and West Texas, chocolate chip cookies, supporting Austin College, or discussing politics and the Sunday New York Times.A Celebration of Life service with a reception to follow will be at 3 p.m. this Saturday, August 26 at the Memorial Chapel at Restland Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Austin College; the Warren Center in Richardson; or the First Presbyterian Church of Dallas Foundation.
What’s your fondest memory of Marvin?
What’s a lesson you learned from Marvin?
Share a story where Marvin's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Marvin you’ll never forget.
How did Marvin make you smile?