Marvin W. Blackwell

Marvin was born in Smithville, Texas, on April 7, 1944, to Julius and Elsie Blackwell. He was the youngest of two sons and enjoyed a modest, country childhood. As a young boy, Marvin enjoyed fishing and squirrel hunting with his dad, and he was always up for a good ghost story. He was quite the prankster and could never resist slyly untying his mother’s apron strings as she busied herself in the kitchen. Marvin was a devoted son, providing for his parents until their passing.

Marvin attended Smithville High School and graduated in 1963. While attending high school, he also worked with his father at Texas Cedar Products in Smithville. He was determined to earn enough money to buy his own car, so began his avid work ethic that would endure the entirety of his life.

After graduation, Marvin went to work for Alcoa. While working there, some friends invited him to their home in Cedar Creek, where they had set up a blind date for Marvin. Little did he know that in accepting that offer, he was about to meet the love of his life, Geneva. The friends hopped in a car together and headed for a joyride through Smithville until Marvin had to report for his 9pm shift. Marvin was a tall, dashingly handsome man, who swept his young love off her feet in no time. The two were married on May 20th, 1967, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Smithville.

Excited to start a family of their own, the happy couple welcomed twin daughters Angie and Julie in 1969, daughter Jenny in 1976, and son Aaron in 1980.

In December of 1965, Marvin was drafted to the United States Army National Guard, where he served as an Aircraft Hydraulic Repairman and earned a Sharpshooter Badge. He was Stationed in Fort Polk Louisianna and Fort Eustis Virginia. He was honorably discharged on June 24, 1971.

He moved on to work at Marhil Manufacturing in Smithville, but soon decided to branch out and start his own business. In 1977 he co-founded Cen-Tex Marine Fabricators. Through hard work and perseverance, the company flourished. Marvin’s commitment to his company was evident to all who knew him. He never shied away from a hard day’s work and continued to work full time until the very end.
In addition to his incredible work ethic, Marvin was also a very involved, hands-on father. He was proud to easily cup his tiny, newborn twins in the safety of his large palms. He stepped up for diaper changes, bottle feedings, and all of the beautifully messy parts of parenthood. He took his growing family on countless trips fishing, hunting, skiing, to Disney World, Cypress Gardens, and even business trips to Louisianna. He enjoyed taking his family to the Texas Coast so much, that it became an every other weekend event. Marvin cherished his family, and his main goal in life was to ensure that they were provided for.  

Remarkably, he was still able to find time for the vast number of hobbies that he loved. He was a licensed pilot, took time for fishing, pickling and canning, bee keeping, listened to classic country music and polka, tended to his lawn, picked dewberries with his family, made wine from his homegrown grapevines, picked from his numerous fruit trees and shared the bounties of his enormous garden. He also had a soft spot for animals, especially his beloved dogs, Macie and Trudie, and cat Fallon.

There’s no doubt, Marvin’s love language was acts of service. His drive and purpose was to provide. His friends and family regularly found bags of fresh produce on their porch on Saturday mornings, and you could never leave his home without armfuls of pickled items, fruits and vegetables. Marvin will always be remembered for his hard working, humble and generous spirit. We could not have asked for a better husband, father, and grandfather. We will miss him every day. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who loved him.

Marvin was proceeded in death by his father, Julius Blackwell; mother, Elsie Blackwell; brother, Ervin Blackwell and granddaughter, Avery Schubert. He is survived by his wife, Geneva Blackwell; daughters, Angela (Steven) Schubert, Julie (Quentin) Lehmann, and Jennifer (Mark) Tracy; son, Aaron (Lelia) Blackwell; grandchildren, Terrill (Ashley) Watson, Jordan Schubert, Makayla (Dylan) Hartnett, Makensie (Jacob) Barta, Madison (Caleb) Strickland, Tanner (Masen) Schubert, Zachry Lehmann, Kaulin Schubert, Caden Tracy, Hallie Lehmann, Evyan Parnell, Madlyn Tracy, and Rylan Blackwell; great grandchildren, Makenna Watson, Brayden Watson, Brody Watson, Audrey Lesak, Preston Barta, and Charlee Strickland.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Bastrop County Animal Shelter or the Smithville Community Gardens.

Family and friends will gather for a visitation from 11:30 to 12:30 on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at Marrs Jones Funeral Home in Smithville, Texas. The funeral service to celebrate Marvin's life will begin at 12:30pm following the visitation. The graveside service will be a private family gathering and Marvin will be laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery.