James Marvin Sr

James W. Marvin, Sr. died Friday, Dec. 16th, 2016 at Baptist Health Paducah. Mr. Marvin graduated from Paducah Tilghman High School in 1948, before attending the University of Kentucky, where he majored in Business. He was a member of Sigma Phi Omega fraternity.

He began his career in the tobacco export business with W.B. Kennedy Sons. The firm had an extensive tobacco buying operation in Western Kentucky and Tennessee with a processing plant in Mayfield, KY. He designed and oversaw the construction of a new processing plant and storage facility. Mr. Marvin took the tobacco company into a partnership with Van Nelle, one of the Netherland's major tobacco companies, at which time the business became Kennedy Leaf Tobacco. He later became managing director, directing it's operation until it's sale at his retirement in 1989 at which time he returned to Paducah. He and his wife enjoyed extensive traveling abroad and in the USA during his career, forming both business and personal relationships that continue to this day.

While living in Mayfield he served as President of the Dark Tobacco Dealers Assoc., served on the Mayfield-Graves County Industrial Board, was Chairman of the Mayfield Community Development Agency, served on the Mayfield-Graves County Airport Board, was a director of the First Kentucky Bank of Mayfield, a director of the Paducah Beer Company and a director of Barney's Coffee & Tea. He was a former owner of radio station KGIR in Cape Girardeau, MO. He was a member of the Mayfield Rotary Club, and served on the board of the Mayfield Golf & Country Club, and served as an elder in First Presbyterian Church in Mayfield. He was honored to be bestowed the title of Kentucky Colonel.

After returning to Paducah he became a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he continued serving as an elder. He became interested in and supported the University of Kentucky's Engineering Scholarship Program benefiting students from McCracken and Graves Counties at WKCTC.

He was an avid golfer and enjoyed holding a private pilot's license for powered and non-powered airplanes. Other hobbies included sail boating, RC airplanes and model railroads.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Kennedy Marvin; son, Marcus Kennedy Marvin and wife Dana of Paducah; five grandchildren; six great grandchildren; three nephews; one niece; and his daughter-in-law Lesley Marvin of Springfield, TN.

Mr. Marvin was preceded in death by his parents Ruth and Daniel Marvin and his son, James W. Marvin, Jr.

A private funeral service will be held at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with Rev. Jenna Goggins officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.

A public memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers friends may make contributions to any of the following: First Presbyterian Church, 200 N 7th St, Paducah, KY 42001; Paducah Cooperative Ministry, 402 Legion Dr, Paducah, KY 42003; or either of the Marvin Scholarship funds at WKCTC, 4810 Alben Barkley Dr, Paducah, KY 42001.