Marvin Harry Locey

Marvin Harry Locey was born August 04, 1926, in Toledo, OH and died September 19, 2019 in Gainesville, Ga. He was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Grace Locey, and sisters, Betty (Burton) Gibbons and Carol (Kenneth) Schoeller. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Cleda Jean, son, Michael (Day) Locey, Collingwood, Canada, daughter, Beth Hirst, Des Moines, IA, granddaughters, Hayley (Wesley) Mueller, Denver, IS, Clara (Glenn) Potter, Melbourne, Australia, Robin (Justin) Shaw, New York City, grandsons, Soren and Cullen Hirts, Colorado, great granddaughter Joscelyn Mueller, great grandson Kaydin Shaw, and many nieces and nephews.

The family moved to Oak Park, IL, where Marvin graduated from high school and entered the U.S. Navy. When World War II ended, he went to Drake University, where he met his future wife Cleda. They were married June 02, 1948. Graduating in 1950 with BS degree in Marketing, he went to work for Sunbeam Corporation. They loved in Atlanta, Ga, Pittsburgh, PA, Nashville, TN, returning to Atlanta in 1965. After a company merger, he retired early completing 33 years with the company. He then managed an Ace Hardware company store until building a home and moving to Lake Lanier near Flowery Branch in 1986. In 2010 they moved to Lanier Village Estates in Gainesville.

A lifelong Presbyterian, Marvin sang in the choir wherever they lived (Westminster in Nashville, TN, Clairmont in Decatur, Ga, First in Gainesville). He was a deacon and an elder, serving in Stewardship, Education and Worship. He taught classes on the Protestant Reformation. Always a supporter for equality for Women, he refused to become an elder until his wife had been elected first. He belonged to the Rocks of All Ages Sunday School Class. He helped start the bus service to bring LVE residents to church, driving the bus for several years. He also served in Advisory Committees for Montreat Conference Center and Columbia Theological Seminary.

A love of history, he served as a volunteer, docent and Board Member of the Northeast Georgia History Center and its predecessor, the Georgia Mountains Museum.

In retirement, The Loceys traveled to many parts of the worlds. Often by cruising. They compared fjords in Norway and New Zealand, made new friends in Alaska and Australia, attended Churches in China and Korea, rode camels in Egypt and donkeys in Greece, and tried their limited language skills in South America, as well as visiting all 50 United States. Marvin enjoyed playing golf. After learning to sail on Lake Michigan, he spent as much time as possible boating. He was Commodore of the Nashville Outboard Club, and always had a sailboat on Lake Lanier.

In addition to church choirs, Marvin Sang with the Atlanta Choral Guild, Gainesville Prime Time Singers and with the Brabershoppers at LVE. He assisted in the rejuvenation of the LVE Chorus and participated in the Follies. Also at LVE he led a weekly discussion group, the Explorers Club, and helped with audio for vespers, events and speakers.

A man of strong faith, strong opinions and with many friends, he will be missed.

Memorial gifts may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 800 S. Enota Dr., Gainesville, GA 30501, the Northeast Georgia History Center, P. O. Box 1451, Gainesville, GA 30503,or the Samaritan Fund at Lanier Village Estates,

4000 Village View Dr., Gainesville 30506.

Memorial Service will be held at Gainesville First Presbyterian Church, October 2, at 1:30 p..m. A reception will follow.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.