John Paul Marvin

John Paul Marvin was born in Butte on Saturday, March 27, 1943, the middle child of three children born to John and Anna (Kranitz) Marvin. With so much resilience after many health challenges, John passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 8, 2024. He was blessed with his final wish to be called home while living his final days in the home he had so proudly built in Butte. John enjoyed speed skating during his grade school years at Harrison Grade School. There are many memories of his shenanigans with his younger brother Bobbie, who followed him everywhere, growing up in East Butte. He also attended East Junior High School then went on to play football for Butte High. He was on the 1960 State Football Championship Team and became a member of the Silver and Gold Bs. John’s first job was as a pinsetter boy at the ACM (Anaconda Copper Mining) Club bowling alley in Butte. He worked summers during high school delivering ice in Yellowstone National Park. He survived the great earthquake of 1959 while in the bunkhouse in Yellowstone that summer. Although he slept through the quake, he woke to find his bed on the other side of the cabin. John met his beloved, Jo Ann Heard on a blind date after a Butte High football game in 1961 which led to their marriage at St. Joseph’s Church on May 4, 1963. Together they raised three children, Debbie, John, and Cindy, in the house he built himself creating many fond memories throughout years of family gatherings. Ultimately drawn to cars and anything mechanical, during his junior and senior year he attended the Cleveland Vocational School finishing highest in his class and winning competitions for auto-mechanics. After graduating from Butte High School in 1962, he went to work for Automotive Supply as an auto mechanic. In 1978 he opened his own automotive repair shop, John’s Tune Up Center. John was considered the best carburetor and electrical specialist in Butte. In the mid-nineties John joined Baker Auto Repair and became a mentor to many before retiring in 2014. John spent many years volunteering his time helping coach his son in baseball and wrestling. His efforts were rewarded with great memories during the all-star games in baseball and taking his son, John to the Grand National Freestyle Wrestling Championships in Lincoln, NE. Never straying far from his calling, John got involved with drag racing at Lost Creek Raceway. He was crew chief for his son’s racecar and a couple of other racers before piloting his own in 1997. John was competitive as a driver, but he preferred giving thrill rides to family and friends to share the excitement of the sport. When his own racing days were over, he became a huge NASCAR fan and was able to attend a race with his wife Jo at the Phoenix Raceway in 2015. Being an avid hunter and fly fisherman, John shared many outdoor adventures with family and friends. The family enjoyed camping every summer in the Wise River area. Dirt bikes and cars were always involved in the family outings. Purchasing cars for each of his children when they were in high school, John painted and detailed them to be as good as new. Known to his grandkids as “Pa” they learned so many things from him and lessons about life. He loved challenges and learned to pan for gold, became a rockhound and dabbled in photography. John was always generous with his time and knowledge to help family and friends with any house or car related issues. He loved to invent new devices or ways to repair just about anything. When his wife, Jo had a stroke in 2017 he took such great care of her and acquired many of the household duties. After her passing in 2019 he learned how to use a computer and loved looking at Facebook. He will be missed for his humor, his wit with jokes and willingness to give advice. He was truly a self-taught jack of all trades. As he always said when departing, “See ya later, have a good one!” He is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and Dave Martinich of Butte and Cindy and Tom Tuttle of Helena, son and daughter-in-law, John and Michele Marvin of Billings. Surviving grandchildren: David Allen Martinich (Brady Laramie), Jerica (Brandon) Lane, Denton (Kyanna) Martinich, Holly (Tim) Compton, and Josh Modlin. Also surviving is his only great-grandson, Acen Martinich; brother and sister-in-law Bob and Debbie Marvin of Billings, sister-in-law Patsy (Ray) Marshall of Butte, brother-in-law, Ed Heard of Butte, Sisters-in-law Barb Heard and Sally Heard, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Ted Miller, sister-in-law Linda Heard: brothers-in-law Bill & Herb Heard and his granddaughter, his little angel, Katrina Modlin. The family would like to thank his nurse, Robin, and friend Jorden of Senior Solutions for taking such good care of John, our Dad, our Pa. Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be conducted Friday, February 23rd at 2:00 PM at Wayrynen-Richards Funeral Home with Deacon John Uggetti officiating. Reception to follow at the Star Lanes Event Center. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to your charity of choice. Express condolences at www.wayrynen-richards.com.

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John Paul Marvin

March 27, 1943 - February 8, 2024