Marvin (Marv) Smith

Marvin Smith of Westminster, Colorado passed away at the age of 93 at Greenridge Memory Care in Westminster.  He was born on the family farm near Oelwein, Iowa the 8th of nine children. After attending Sacred Heart/Immaculate Conception Catholic school, he went to work for the John Deere factory in Waterloo, Iowa. While still on the farm as a teenager, he earned extra money running trap lines and raising mink to sell the furs to Sears & Roebuck , he learned how to fly, and bought his first small airplane. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy Coast Guard, and later moved to Denver and went to work for Jonas Brothers Taxidermy. He enjoyed dancing to big band swing music, which was how he met Phyllis Anne Miller, who became his stunning dance partner, and eventually his wife. They made quite a couple, dancing at all the Denver clubs and dance competitions during the early 50’s. After getting married, Marvin went to work for McKesson & Robbins, as a pharmaceutical salesman, selling to drug stores. Later, he worked as the regional sales representative for Johnson/ Evinrude Boats and Motors, which involved travel to New Mexico, Kansas, Utah, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, as well as Colorado. He moved his wife and young son to Douglas, WY for almost a year, until moving back to Denver; and then, moving to Westminster in 1960, when his daughter was born. He worked at Sunstrand as a machinst and also at another part-time job at College Hill Meat Locker in Westminster, skinning deer and elk during hunting season.  Next he went to work for the Texas Refinery Corporation, selling primarily roofing products for the next 30 years. He was one of the top salesmen in the nation for TRC, having earned many sales awards and  all-expense-paid trips to Hawaii, Mexico, and Europe.  The work ethic instilled him early in life inspired him to start several small business enterprises doing seamless flooring in schools and post offices, and later, a family operated contracting business: Front Range Roofing and Insulation Company, eventually employing several workers. Even in “retirement” Marvin started a sharpening business out of his home, re-sharpening  saw blades, knives, scissors, mower blades, ice skates, etc.

Marvin was a devoted husband, father  and grandfather. He and Phyllis liked to spend time with each other at their other home in La Veta, CO along with their daughter and granddaughter, up to the time Phyllis lost her long battle with cancer.

He was interested in music and loved to play the guitar. He liked metal sculpture, attempting some of his own creations. He especially enjoyed going to yard sales, auctions, and thrift stores.

Later in life Marvin rekindled his love of music and dancing, attending jazz clubs, going to dances at the Elks, VFW, and senior centers. He enjoyed life and being around other people. He met Barbara Flieger  at one of those dances  and they have spent the past few years enjoying each other’s company  in Englewood, CO.

Marvin is survived by his brother George Smith, son Chris Smith, daughter Melissa Dernoga, and granddaughter Jessica Dernoga.  He was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Anna, brothers Harold, Donald,and Francis, sisters Thelma Liebe, Kathryn Bohan, Marlys Duffy, and Virginia Garvey.

The family would like to thank the staff at Greenwood Place and Elevations Hospice for all the compassionate care they gave to Marvin Smith up to the time of his passing.

- A celebration of Marvin Smith’s life will be Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 10:30am with a reception to immediately follow, at Horan & McConaty, 7757 W. 80th Ave., Arvada, CO 80003