With his wife at his bedside Marvin Howard passed away peacefully January 19, 2019 after a long illness.  He is in a better place.

Marvin is survived by his beloved wife, Caroline Joyce Woodson, of 51 years; his sons Reginald (Sandra), Christopher (Barbara) and grandchildren Cohen, Gabriela and Joshua. He is also survived by his sisters and brothers Jewel Norman Ray (T. George Norman and Johnny Ray both deceased); Shirley Ann Ivory (Roy D); Charles Henry "Bo" Howard (Marilyn); William Bennett "Benny" Howard (Lillie Mae), John Willis Howard (Linda) and Linda Faye Moton (Bobby Earl Moton deceased).  He also leaves behind several nieces, nephews as well as several brother and sister-in-laws who dearly loved Marvin

Marvin was born on June 2, 1945, in Omaha, Texas. He was the fifth of Casey and Sarah Howard's seven children.  He excelled in high school athletics and academics while spending summers picking cotton with his siblings and parents until Casey moved the family to Mount Pleasant when he took a job with Lone Star Steel.  Elected Class Treasurer Marvin was class salutatorian, an All-District high jumper, a standout in baseball, football and most of all basketball at Booker T. Washington High School.

Affectionately known as "Moose", Marvin joined the Army ROTC program at Prairie View A&M University where he graduated in 1968 with a degree in Mathematics.  It was on "The Hill" where he met the love of his life, Caroline, from Marlin, TX.  Marvin served as battalion commander while a cadet at Prairie View before commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant.  His Army career was punctuated with challenging assignments and high honors that included finishing with the highest test score average during the Engineer Officer Basic Course.  Marvin reminded his family and friends that his performance put him well ahead of many West Point graduates!  With one son and Caroline pregnant with their second, Lt Howard elected to forgo the opportunity to defer his tour of duty in Vietnam instead choosing to serve his country from 1969-1970 assigned to the 92nd Engineering Battalion where he was awarded the Bronze Star.

Upon returning to the US, Marvin served until 1973 mustering out of military service at the rank of captain as a company commander with the 1st Cavalry Division at Ft, Hood, TX.  After a brief stint with Texas Instruments, Marvin embarked upon a distinguished almost thirty year career at United Parcel Service (UPS) and was the first African-American Industrial Engineer at the company.  He rose quickly through the managerial ranks.  A tough but fair leader, Marvin mentored many promising personnel at the company who went on to have successful careers due in part to his mentor ship .  Amongst his proudest moments were when both sons started on the Plano Wildcat football team in 1985 and subsequently at Baylor University and the Air Force Academy respectively in 1990.

Besides Caroline and ultimately the grandchildren, Marvin's "other loves" were golf and music. Although he picked up the game a little later in life than his friends, he soon became one of the best players in his vast network of friends and family gladly taking their money during friendly side bets both at courses in Texas and around the country.  Always the engineer, Marvin enjoyed teaching himself everything from guitar to keyboards to computers, he would spend countless hours in his office upstairs after retirement playing, reading and even singing.

With children and grandchildren living everywhere from Texas, to Massachusetts, to Florida and New Mexico at any given time, Marvin traveled countless hours across the country with his beloved Caroline at his side and Cohen, Gabby and Josh singing songs, watching videos, snoring and sometimes arguing in the back of the Chevy van he purchased just after retiring from UPS.  A firm believer in the power of education, Marvin will leave a legacy of three grandchildren with college degrees who also played college sports: Cohen (Sewanee The University of the South, Football), Gabby (Furman University, Volleyball) and Josh (Middlebury College, Track & Field).

A Christian, Marvin was a devoted member of Greenville Avenue Church of Christ.  Now in Heaven with his parents Marvin sings, plays, and hits his nine iron with the Angels.  A strong, authoritative yet kind and loving presence , Marvin is already missed by those who knew him and always will be.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the the Robert Morris University Marvin & Caroline Howard Endowed Scholarship:

Those wishing to donate may use the link or mailing instructions below:

rmu.edu/howard

Or check payable to "Robert Morris University" and note "Marvin Howard Scholarship" on memo line then mail to:

Robert Morris University

Attn: Jennifer Young

6001 University Blvd

Moon Township, PA 15108