Retired Senior Chief Marvin O. Smith Jr. (USN), of Kingsland passed away on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022.
Born April 6, 1932, in Louisville, Mississippi, Marvin retired in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1970 and moved to Summerville, S.C., in 1983 and lived there until 2020 when he moved to Kingsland. He was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars where he served as a torpedoman’s mate. Marvin served aboard the USS Sea Fox (SS 402), USS Grampus (SS 523), USS Caiman (SS 323), USS John C. Calhoun (SSBN 630), COB of the USS Sam Houston (SSBN 609) and COMSUBGRU 4 in Charleston where he retired.
After an honorary discharge from the Navy, he became a Realtor for Darby Realty then became a broker for Marvin O. Smith Realty and worked for Century 21 Joe Lenoir Realty in Charleston, SC. Marvin also worked as a Building Code Inspector for England Enterprises. He then later retired to enjoy life with his family. Marvin was a life member of the United States Submarine Veterans and Charleston Base Sub Vets. Marvin was also a past master of Pythagorean Masonic Lodge No. 21, 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner of the Omar Temple.
Marvin is preceded in death by his first wife, Peggy Smith; his parents, Marvin O. Smith Sr. and Mary McRae Smith; and sister, Mardell Baker.
He is survived by his wife, Janet M. Smith of Kingsland; his daughter, Leslie Messinger, Summerville, South Carolina; son, Michael Brown (Kim) of St. Marys; granddaughter, Ashley Thomas (Brad) of Mobile, Alabama; grandsons, James Messinger of Charleston S.C., Alex and Walker Brown of St. Marys; and three great grandchildren, Keith, Connor and Kennedy Claire Thomas of Mobile, Alabama. He is also survived by his sisters Donna Dearmond and Mary McDaniels of Texas. Mo, as most people called him, was loved for his generosity, his humor and his devotion to his family and country. But he will be remembered most for his ravenous zest for life and the lives he touched with that passion.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. And his final resting place will be Jacksonville National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to UF Health Cancer Center (000737). Make checks payable to UFF: University of Florida Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 14425, Gainesville, FL 32604-9949. Online donations: www.uff.ufl.edu. Credit card donations: 1-877-351-2377.