Obituary of Marvin Corbett

http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/location/state/table/VA/Marvin “Marv” Corbett

On the afternoon of Friday, July 23, 2021, Marv passed away at the Hospital of Veterans Affairs in Portland Oregon as a result of complications from pneumonia. Family and friends were at his side.

Marv was born January 1, 1941, in Grand Forks, North Dakota to (the late) Ivan and Elda (Craig) Corbett. He was one of six children, and a twin brother to Marilyn (Corbett) Schemmel, who proceeded him in death.

Marv is survived by his daughter, Louise (Bryan) Layton; son, James (Daisy) Corbett; sisters, Beverly Johnson and Diane Corbett; brothers, Jack Corbett and Irv Corbett; grandchildren, Mason Rich and Dusty Wideman; great-grandchildren, Meleah Reese and Ellie Tobias; and many nieces and nephews. The extended family includes Marc Conner, who was a great friend, and like a son to Marv.

Marv grew up in Salem Oregon, in the Four Corners area. He graduated from South Salem High School in 1959. He served in the US Army from 1960-1963. He held various jobs, including working for Boeing and several canneries. In 1974, he took a position with Salem Area Mass Transit “Cherriots” as a bus driver. He was with them for 26 years and retired in 2000.

Marv loved watching wrestling on TV and occasionally in person. A big wrestling match was often an excuse to gather with friends to cheer and get rowdy. He also had a close group of friends who called themselves The Dog Pound. His friend Shelia says they called Marv the “Big Dog”. They enjoyed playing the game Hand in Foot and were known to pull all-nighters from time to time.

Marv was an active member of *Gamblers Anonymous (GA). He had said that his time with his friends at GA was the best years of his life. He celebrated his 10th "birthday" on July 4, 2021, while he was in the hospital. He wanted anyone who is struggling with addiction of any kind to know that there is hope for recovery and happy, meaningful life.

Marv was a believer in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Although he didn't have a home church, he had attended many churches in the Salem area and knew that he had a home in Heaven. That is where he is now. He has both legs, can eat sweets if he chooses, and has a full head of hair. He has reunited with his friend Bill who passed just before he did, and they are meeting family and friends, old and new. If you could ask him how he was doing right now, he'd tell you that he’s finer than a frog’s hair, split 4 ways.

In his desire to help others, Marv made a choice to become a **body donor. His hope was that in using his body, those in the medical field would be able sharpen their skills to be able to help many others. His generous donation supports educational medical institutions of the Pacific Northwest.

A special thanks to the doctors and nurses at the Veterans Hospital ICU**** for their attentive care and support during Marv's final days.