Marvin Richard McNeese

Marvin Richard McNeese, Sr. lived eighty years! According to the Bible (Ps 90:10), he was given God’s promise and HIS favor towards longevity. He lived that life to the fullest and with much fervor.  Marvin Richard McNeese, Sr., of Houston, Texas passed away on January 5, 2023, after a long hospitalization and was supported daily by his immediate family. Marvin was born on December 2, 1942, in East St. Louis, Illinois as the second oldest of 13 children. Those family members that contributed to his life and preceded him in death were his parents, Rev. Dr. Timmie and Rev. Priscilla Ewing McNeese, maternal grandparents, Mose & Rev. Vannetta Ewing and paternal grandparents George & Virginia McNeese; his in-laws, John Wesley Sr. and Thelma Calmese, seven siblings, Betty Oleatha, Lynn, Jessie, Fredericka, Timothy, Merle McNeese and just 2 short months ago, his eldest sister, Barbara Desinor; his in-laws, Jean M Desinor, Sr., Frank Contejean, Sr., John Wesley, Jr., George, and Joseph Lee Calmese and Tawanna Berry.

School and Military: As did most of the McNeese children that followed him, Marvin began his early school years in the south end of East St. Louis, IL. He attended Denverside, Dunbar, Washington, Franklin, John Robinson, Hughes Quinn and Lincoln High School. Throughout his life Marvin was often recognized for his impeccable penmanship. This was the result of him completing the Advanced Course of The Palmer Method of Business Writing in May of 1956 when he was just thirteen years old. His teachers spoke so fondly of him because of his excellence in math and was recognized often for this gift. After his school days in East St. Louis, he joined the United States Marine Corps from January 1960 through October 1963. He was initially stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA and completed most of his tour of duty in Okinawa, Japan as an Antitank Assault man.

Work History: He returned to the St. Louis area after military life and began working for various local establishments including a car wash, candy store, manufacturing management and others.  He later began working on produce row in the downtown St. Louis area and was soon made manager of its varied operations. Marvin began working for Varn International Chemical Co after moving to Dallas, Texas in 1977 as a Warehouseman, Shipping Clerk and Batchmaker. He began studies in Production Management at Mountain View College in Dallas, TX which assisted him in continuing to excel with the company. He was promoted to the Dallas Plant Superintendent in 1985. He was a mentor and role model of discipline and work ethic, sometimes to the chagrin of his kids, rising before the crack of dawn each day. He was always the first to arrive at the office each day and the last one to lock the doors each night. As a result, he came up through the ranks to become Manufacturing Coordinator for several Varn U.S. based plants. Varn relocated him and his family to Chicago, IL in 1984. While in this position he traveled extensively to Varn’s international sites to train plant managers in London, England, the Netherlands and other areas. The family finally settled in Houston, TX in 1992 as Marvin opened the new home office for Varn. He retired from his distinguished career in chemical plant manufacturing in 2008.

Leisure and Bridge History: Marvin was reared in a household full of family love and competition through games. With an exceptionally gifted and mathematical mind, Marvin developed expert card playing skills. He is a lifetime member of the American Contract Bridge League and the American Bridge Association. He achieved the rank of “Silver Diamond Member” during his 20 plus years as player. His home is full of trophies won throughout the years during regional and national tournaments. He also spent many of his retirement days teaching his grandchildren the rules and strategy of card games.

Marvin had a beautiful tenor voice. He loved jam sessions with his brothers in his younger years and was often heard singing around the house. His children loved playing DJ for him as he sang along with his favorite tunes. He was also a voracious reader who often worked through multiple novels at a time. 

His Character: Marvin was a dapper dresser and a quintessential “man’s man.” He was loyal to a fault with all of his family and friends. He used his own resources and time to take care of others.

In the words of a sister, “He was a strong, no-nonsense, fierce protector (the Marine in him) who valued family gatherings; he was a truth teller, gentle when needed, mathematically gifted, generous, and quick-witted.”

A former employee stated, “He was a serious and disciplined man, but also good-hearted.”

A nephew stated, “He was the most important man figure in my life; He saved my life.”

As the patriarch, he had a hand in raising many of his beloved nieces and nephews as if they were his own.

A Varn executive said, “He was a great gentleman and a pleasure to work with.” 

A co-worker said, “He taught me much and I knew that I could always talk to him about anything.” 

Marvin left an indelible and permanent mark on everyone he touched. His marriage to Jewell was the love story of a lifetime. There were only rare moments when they were not together. He was very much a romantic and thoughtful partner sending countless expressions to his wife without ever missing a special day. Despite spending his final weeks in the hospital, he never lost his sense of humor. Throughout his entire journey, he cracked jokes and made snarky remarks on social media with his grown children, made silly faces with his grandchildren, and even managed to endear himself with the hospital nurses whom he negotiated his daily care with until the end. He had a great ability to make others smile and his sense of humor will be missed.

Marvin began to love animals in his former years, especially cats. He leaves his treasured “Tiger” a 30 lb. tabby to protect his family and domain.

His memory will forever be cherished by his beloved wife of 52 years, Jewell Lee McNeese; four children: Mrs. Elvira (Reginald, Sr.) Grimes, Los Banos, CA, Ms. Marlene McNeese, Humble, TX, Dr. Marvin (Melanie) McNeese, Jr., Houston, TX and Mrs. Tawanda (Ricardo) Wilkes, St. Louis, MO; four sisters, Timi Contejean, Wentzville, MO, Rev. Saundra L McNeese, Houston, Terecia Campbell Winchester, VA, and Rev. Dr. Arnetta Bailey, Vienna, OH; two brothers, Deacon Mose McNeese (Wilma), Pittsburg, PA, Rev. Wes Robinson-McNeese, M.D. (LaVerne) Springfield, IL; 2 brothers-in-law, William, Ryan, James, Khelby Calmese, St. Louis, MO; three sisters-in-law, Andrea Jeffries, Tina Batts and Angel Calmese, St. Louis, MO; fourteen grandchildren in birth order: Dejuan Macon Jr., Donte Macon, Reginald Grimes, Jr., Henry Ward, Jr., Dion Macon, Olivia Grimes, Takeria Macon, Sierra Ward, Marvin R. McNeese, III, Lydia McNeese, Ramond Wilkes, Gabriel McNeese, Rayanne Wilkes, and Isaac McNeese, one living aunt, Vannetta Ewing Greene of Edwardsville, KS, a lifelong family friend, Aretha Shields of East St. Louis, IL; many nieces and nephews and cousins.

 Unlike some of his siblings and the previous generation, Marvin may not have attended church regularly, yet he always encouraged his children and grandchildren to go to church and have a personal relationship with God.  We are so proud that he gave his heart to the Lord despite his rebelling in early years. Marvin often talked of his family’s long line of preachers.  When asked about all of the preachers in the family, a friend asked Marvin, “So man, what happened to you?” He just laughed and said, “Well, they had to have somebody to pray for…”

Viewing
Saturday, January 21, 2023
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Houston First Baptist (Downtown Campus)    
1730 JeffersonHouston, Texas 77003
Masks are suggested

Funeral Service
Saturday, January 21, 2023
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Houston First Baptist (Downtown Campus)    
1730 JeffersonHouston, Texas 77003
Masks are suggested

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marvin Richard McNeese, please visit our floral store.