Marvin Lee McGruder

Life’s Reflection

Marvin Lee McGruder, Sr. was born at Bell Memorial Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas on September 10, 1938. He was the eldest of two sons born to Marvin McGruder and Leola Athena Tabb McGruder. Born at the end of the depression, Marvin came of age during a golden era in the Kansas City jazz scene, and quickly developed a life-long love for the music of his youth. He was particularly fond of the work of Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis.

Marvin came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ at an early age and was baptized at the Church of the Living God Temple #10 in Kansas City, Kansas.

Marvin graduated from Sumner High School in 1959 and enlisted in the United States Navy in the same year. The Navy afforded Marvin an opportunity to see the world, and he served his country honorably for twenty years, retiring in 1979 after achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He received numerous decorations, commendations, and citations for his time of service.

A lifelong learner, Marvin pursued post-secondary education in Mathematics and Philosophy at the University of Utah and the University of Tampa.

After retiring from the Navy, Marvin was employed by Johnson Controls in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1983, he returned to Kansas City and began working at the Board of Public Utilities as a systems engineer.  Upon his return to Kansas City, he united in fellowship with the Salem Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. C. B. Bailey. He was active in the Laymen and Sunday School ministries, and joined Metropolitan Baptist Temple in 2003. Marvin retired from BPU in 1998 after 15 years. He was also employed by Kansas City Power & Light, Union Pacific Railroad, and the U.S. Navy Recruitment Office.

Marvin was united in holy matrimony to Anne Davis McGruder in 1987. Marvin and Anne shared a unique bond; they were best friends, confidants, and life partners whose love stood as a shining example for many.

Marvin possessed a keen intellect and lived for meaningful discourse; he enjoyed reading, chess, listening to jazz, Westerns, and hosting family and friends. He was a man more formidable than flashy, more immutable than immodest. He was a scholar, a gentlemen, a devoted father, a loving husband, and an amazing man.

Marvin departed this life on September 2, 2015 at the Vitas Hospice Unit of Research Medical Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his father, Marvin McGruder; his mother, Leola Tabb McGruder; and his brother, Carl McGruder.

Marvin is survived by his wife Anne of Kansas City; his children, Cynthia Harris of Tampa, FL, Marie Antoinette McGruder of Colombia, SC; Marvin Lee McGruder, Jr. of Tampa, FL; Rhonda (Darrell) Gilbo of Houston, TX; David Malcolm McGruder of Clinton, MD; Marlayna Simone McGruder; and Phillip Vincent McGruder of Kansas City, KS; his grandchildren, Cylita Harris; Nichole Harris; Verhonda Harris; Taylor McGruder; Jordyn Gilbo; and Jaz Gilbo; great grandchildren; nieces; nephews; cousins; and cherished friends.

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