Marvin Leroy Dunstan's Obituary
Obituary: Marvin Dunstan Dec. 28, 1924 - August 26, 2019
Marvin Leroy Dunstan was born in December of 1924 as the first child to William James Dunstan and his wife Ola Aydelot-Dunstan in Portland, Oregon. After graduating from Franklin High School, he attended Reed Collegeand later at the University of Santa Clara in California in the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP). After WWII, he graduated from the University of Oregon in Eugene with a BS in Business Administration in 1949.
Marvin served during WWII in Europe (England, France & Germany) with the 11th Armored Division from July 1943 until his honorable discharge in December 1945. Barley 20 years old, he served in the Battle of the Bulge during the frigid winter in the Ardennes Forest, sometimes for hours in a fox hole while being shelled by enemy artillery. He was wounded when his unit was involved in battle at the Bingen Rhine River bridge. He received the Purple Heart Award, the European-African Theater Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal.
After the war, Marvin was a Manager for Montgomery Wards in Vancouver. In 1953, Marvin returned to Germany as a Regional Manager at the European Exchange Service in Wiesbaden, Neurenberg, Bitburg, Stuttgart, Heilbronn and Ansbach Germany, and in LaVarenne and St. Hilaire France. From 1958 until retirement in 1986 he was employed by J.J. Newberry Company and the McCrory Corporation in Portland, Oregon.
Marvin married Corda Fery-Dunstan in Trier Germany in 1956. Their three children are Joan Mary who died in 1961, Catherine Rita and Daniel James. He was a resident of Gresham, Oregon from 1962 to 1994 and an active member of St. Henry's Catholic Church. Marvin and Corda moved to Twin Falls, Idaho early in 1994. Exploring the Snake River country and Idaho's mountains was his delight and he enjoyed his newfound friends and neighbors, as well as his membership in the Catholic Community at St. Edwards Church. In 1996 at the age of 92, he and his wife moved to Junction City, OR to live closer to family. He was a loving husband, father and Grandfather.
As a youngster, he played the violin in the Junior Symphony of Portland. In High School, the trumpet became his favored instrument, and he played in the marching band, and later in the service, in a dance band at the Officers Club. He was a kind, inquiring, humble and gentle man, with an incredible ability to persevere. And he had a good sense of humor. His passions included his family, being close to nature, traveling and his great love of music.
He is survived by his wife Corda, children Cathy Swancutt (Scott) of Junction City, Dan Dunstan (Vicki) of West Linn, OR, 10 wonderful grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and his sister Barbara Base & family of Portland, OR.
May the choirs of angels welcome him into Paradise.
What’s your fondest memory of Marvin?
What’s a lesson you learned from Marvin?
Share a story where Marvin's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Marvin you’ll never forget.
How did Marvin make you smile?