Marvin R. Poe passed away Friday, December 21, 2018 at the age of 82.
He was born Nov. 9, 1936 in El Dorado, Kansas. He found the love of his life, Ruby Dougherty, in December 1953. They were married June 5, 1955 in a double-wedding with his sister, Betty Poe, and her husband Merlin Glover.
He worked in the oilfield and eventually started his own business, Poe Well Service, Inc. Marvin was a hard-working family man and Ruby took care of the kids and the books for the business.
They took the family fishing and camping as much as possible. On family vacations, he always made sure they stopped at a motel early so the family could have a sit-down meal together as they did at home each night. The family loved Sunday drives to out-of-the-way places and would enjoy an ice cream dessert.
The family would sit together and watch “The Lawrence Welk Show” and have popcorn and apple slices. When he was home, everyone knew the recliner was his. Kids could always climb up in the chair and sit with him. As the grandkids came along, they continued the tradition of climbing up on Grandpa’s lap. When the babies were tired, they would end up rocking with Grandpa and falling asleep across his belly.
Marvin had nicknames for his and Ruby’s nieces and nephews and continued the tradition with the grandkids. Most of the granddaughters were Ugly #1, Ugly #2. and so on. They would tell him they were pretty and he would agree they could be Pretty Ugly, just to continue to tease them.
His daughter-in-law, Debbie Ann, knew he was always teasing since he had actually bought his first granddaughter a pretty dress and took it to her at the hospital all by himself. His teasing taught life lessons. He told the Leddy kids he was lost, and they had to tell him which way to go to get from their house to Lori’s house. When they made it to Lori’s due to James pulling through with directions, Ruby assured the kids their Grandpa knew where he was going, but wanted them to learn to remember directions.
He may not have said much at times, but through all his teasing, he taught us how to love without taking life too seriously. Our family has been getting together a few times a year ever since the kids of Marvin and Ruby were all out of the house. Marvin and Ruby Poe have created an amazing legacy in the wonderful family they have!
Stinemetz Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.