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Marvin Benton Wang, 84

| October 14, 2018 2:00 AM

Marvin Benton Wang was born to Ludwig Wang and Ruby Hannon Wang June 7, 1934, in Kalispell, and passed away peacefully on Oct. 3, 2018, in Spokane.

Marvin grew up in Somers and spent most of his life in the Flathead Valley. He attended Flathead County High School and graduated in 1952. On Aug. 30, 1953, he married his friend and soulmate, Avis Johnson, at Eidsvold Lutheran Church in Somers.

In 1956, he was drafted to the Army and they moved to Fort Ord, California, where he was an airplane crewman and served until 1958. They had many fond memories of their experiences in California, but one of the greatest was seeing Lawrence Welk and his band. From that time forward, they always made Saturday night, date night, and watched the Lawrence Welk show.

Marvin and Avis lived in many cities and states but always returned to the Flathead and finally settled in Somers in 1972. That is when he started LP Gas Service in Kalispell and it flourished into a very successful business. He sold the business in the early 1980s and continued as manager until his retirement in 1996. They sold the family home on Flathead Lake and moved into Kalispell. They spent many of their journeys with a group of friends they called “The Shaky Eight.” They made multiple trips to Alaska and traveled all over the Northwest.

In 2012, they moved to Spokane to be closer to their daughter, Karen Robinson, and her family.

Marvin loved camping, hunting, fishing and spending time with his family and friends. He and Avis belonged to many bowling leagues, enjoyed restoring antiques and just had fun together.

Marvin was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Avis Wang, his father, Ludwig Wang, mother Ruby Wang, and brothers Rodney Wang and Richard Wang.

Marvin is survived by his younger brother, Tom Wang (Holly); daughters, Shannon Coburn (Mitch), and Karen Robinson (Dan); and two beautiful grandchildren, Kyle Coburn and Lindsey Robinson.

Marvin preferred not to have a memorial service and the family will honor his wishes.