Marvin Lawrence Chennault, Sr, 93, of Mesa, AZ, formerly of Yakima, WA, departed this life on May 8, 2011 in Mesa, AZ. Born March 13, 1918 in Caviness, TX to George and Lela Chennault, Marvin had 4 brothers and 2 sisters. Survivors include his precious wife of 71 years, Ruth (Hamilton), daughter & son-in-law Cherryl & Bob Welsh, son & daughter-in-law Marvin L. & Betty Chennault, Jr., grandchildren Bob, Eric, Lance, Jennie, Cindy and Tami, 8 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. Marvin lived an incredible life. He received a football scholarship to Oklahoma State University where he met his bride. He was a World War II veteran serving in the South Pacific. After his tour of duty, he and his bride eventually moved to Yakima, WA where he was a Highway Civil Engineer for the State of Washington Transportation Department. His legacy would include his involvement with the baseball/softball leagues for children and was honored by being inducted into the Yakima Softball Hall of Fame. He continued his legacy by working with young men in the Boy Scouts. He was a Grandmaster in the Masonic Lodge and Potentate with the Shriners’ coordinating fund raisers which helped raise millions of dollars for the Shriners’ Hospital for Children. After retiring from the State of Washington, Marvin was hired by JJ Welcome to oversee a project in America Samoa. Later Marvin and Ruth traveled to Fiji, Hawaiian Islands, Australia, China and other countries and then in 2005 they moved to Mesa, AZ. Marvin enjoyed gardening and visiting with friends at the Red Mountain Senior Center. Marvin was blessed with insatiable intelligence, endless curiosity, wondrous imagination, and a unique, irreverent sense of compassion. Marvin loved his family and friends fiercely. In sharing Marvin’s life and even his dying, he taught us how to live life generously, with humility, compassion, devotion, integrity, grace, and immeasurable love. We will honor you by doing our best to love life as you did, carrying our love for you in our hearts all our days. A celebration to honor Marvin’s life will be held at Mountain View Memorial Gardens, 7900 E. Main St., Mesa, AZ on Thursday, May 12th with visitation from 10A – 12P and service from 12P – 1P. Donations in Marvin’s name may be made to Shriners’ Hospital for Children (PO Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99210-2472) or the Alzheimer’s Association (1028 E. McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85006-2662).
Celebrating 75 years of serving our community