Marvin L. VanValkenburg Jr.

The man, the myth, the legend Marvin “Buddy” VanValkenburg Jr. passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on January 29th, 2022 at the age of 62. He was the third of six children born to Marvin & Juanita VanValkenburg at Womack Army Medical Center in 1959. His father was a Vietnam war veteran, and the family spent time overseas in Germany, later settling back down in Fayetteville. Marvin graduated from Douglas Byrd High School in 1978, and during the fall of 1979, he met Debbie. Quickly, they fell in love, got married, and shortly after welcomed their first son, Danny. In the coming years, they would buy their first home, welcome their second son Dennis, and then eventually their third and fourth sons, Alex and Josh. Over the years they had many pets, including their “attack dog” Bear, who lived for over 20 years and passed away just a few days prior to Marvin. Marvin worked at Eaton Corporation for over 30 years, and Debbie stayed home to raise their boys. In more recent years, they added their beloved dog, Jack, who was Marvin’s shadow. Their bond showed that a dog is truly a man’s best friend. They would spend their evenings on the front porch of that same house they bought back in 1982, fattening up the squirrels and birds to ensure you could tell the ones that lived in their pine tree apart from the others in the neighborhood. Marvin was a man of many stories, whether it was being bitten by a goose or losing his fishing rod to a monster bass, anyone who met him was guaranteed to hear one of his crazy anecdotes and leave with a stomach ache from laughter. Marvin was an avid outdoorsman, having a particular fondness for hunting and fishing. He also loved everything related to cars and trucks, something that was evident if you happened upon his shed full of car parts dating back to the early ’70s. He was what some might call a hoarder, but if you asked him, he was prepared. All of his kids knew that if they were doing their spring cleaning, you’d better do it without Marvin finding out because half of the stuff you were getting rid of would be claimed, put in the shed or garage, and repurposed when something inevitably breaks 5 years down the road. He could fix anything you put in front of him so his kids and grandkids learned at an early age to keep a running list of toys to be taken to PaPa to repair. This just further cements his resemblance to Santa Clause in both looks and demeanor. Many things can be said to describe Marvin, but the one thing everyone would agree on is that he was loved endlessly by everyone he crossed paths with. Marvin is preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Juanita VanValkenburg. He leaves behind his loving wife of 42 years, Debbie VanValkenburg, as well as 4 sons; Danny and wife, Chrystal, Dennis and wife, Brittany, Alex and partner, Kaitlin, Josh and partner, Alyssa. He was also the proud PaPa/Poppy to 5 grandchildren: Krystofer, Kole, Khyler, Bristol and Savannah. In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by 2 sisters, 3 brothers, many nieces, nephews and friends. Marvin did not wish to have a service. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital in his honor. “Some Day My Deer Will Come.”

Marvin L. VanValkenburg Jr.

March 30, 1959 - January 29, 2022