Marvin Stewart Park, 93, of Beaumont, died Thursday, June 25, 2015. He was born on March 19, 1922, in Wichita Falls, to Opal Lenore Stewart and Marvin Aldois Park.
Although his family experienced The Great Depression, Marvin and his brother had a wonderful childhood. His mother was a very attractive and sociable woman and his father was a successful businessman in the oil well supply business, which yes, resulted in the family moving frequently as new oil fields were discovered.
Marvin attended six grammar schools and three high schools including Midland High School, where he graduated. In spite of moving around quite a bit, Marvin formed many lasting friendships and stayed in touch with many of his high school friends. He graduated from Louisiana State University, with a Bachelor of Science Chemical Engineering Degree.
Marvin was an accomplished public speaker and singer. Over the years, dating back to high school, He won several awards and scholarships in public speaking and music. After graduating from Louisiana State University and relocating to Beaumont, he and three friends organized the Beaumont Opera Workshop.
Marvin served in the United States Army in World War II. He was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded the Purple Heart and was honorably discharged. Before going overseas, Marvin was assigned to the University of Mississippi where he met his first wife, a campus beauty, Mary Elizabeth Vallatos. Marvin and Mary settled in Beaumont after World War II ended and Marvin graduated from Louisiana State University.
Marvin was employed by the Pure Oil Company from 1948 to 1965. When he was employed by Mobil Oil, in technical and operations planning activities, he was placed on loan to Arabian American Oil Company in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia in 1980. While in Saudi Arabia, Marvin and Mary visited fifty-four countries.
Marvin and Mary lived an active and rewarding social, religious, civic, and family life in Beaumont. Their first and only daughter, Melissa, was born in 1955. They joined the country club where Marvin enjoyed playing bridge, tennis, and golf. Marvin participated in the American Society of Chemical Engineers and the Society of Professional Engineers. He was on the vestry and sand in the choir at St. Stephens Episcopal Church.
Marvin and Mary were married for fifty four years until her passing in 1998. Two years later, Marvin became reacquainted with Mildred Hartel (Millie), an old friend of Marvin and Mary. Marvin and Millie were married in August of 2000. They enjoyed eleven years of life together. Millie passed away in 2010, after a long illness.
Survivors include daughters, Melissa Park Peyton and her husband, Steve, of Beaumont; Robin Ann Hartel; and Leith Hewitt and her husband, Todd, all of Austin; sons, Rufus Timothy Wright of Georgetown; John Kent Hartel, Jr. and his wife, Noeline, of Sour Lake; grandchildren, John Kent Hartell III, Michael Anthony Thomas Hartel, Georgia Leith Hewitt, and Sawyer McFaddin Hewitt; nieces, Nancy E. Rogers, Pam McQueary, Linda Meisinger, and Allison Waggoner; nephews, Buddy Rogers and Steve Rogers; and cousins, Angela Smith and Walter Raynaud.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wives, Mary Elizabeth Vallatos Park and Mildred Hartel Park; and brother, Bob Park.
A memorial service for Mr. Park will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 9, 2015, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.
The family of Marvin would like to thank his caregivers at Texas Home Heath Hospice: Dr. Harold Bencowitz, Dr. John Henderson, Dr. George Thomas; and also his Costal Caregivers: Sally Bordelon, Brenda White, Phyllis Washington, Telma Sosa, Cheryl Ball, Alex Godines, and Rosibel Kittler.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77702; Alzheimers Association, 700 North Street Suite M, Beaumont, Texas 77701; or American Heart Association, P.O. Box 841125, Dallas, Texas 75284.
