Orvill Marshall Lonvick's Obituary
Orvill Lonvick went to be with his Heavenly Father on September 27, 2024 at 93 years of age. He was born in Dallas, Texas and was the second child of Edward and Dorthea Lonvick, who had immigrated separately from Norway and met each other in Waco, Texas.
Orvill went to North Dallas High School and from there to North Texas State University. His diploma said that he majored in business, but those who knew him believed his major was actually golf. At North Texas State, he was a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity where his fraternity brothers, and future professional golfers, Don January and Billy Maxwell taught him to play golf. He remained an avid golfer for the rest of his life.
Orvill married Marty Jamison, his high school sweetheart, in 1953. Shortly after they were married, Orvill and Marty served together in the U.S. Army and were stationed together at Ft. Gordon in Augusta, Georgia.
Orvill worked as a salesman for American Standard Plumbing and Heating for his entire career. He loved engaging with his customers and meeting new people. His job required him to transfer to different cities while they raised their children. For many years they lived in the frigid north of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Orvill loved the summers when he could play golf, but truly embraced the winters by building snow forts, a sled run, and an ice rink he created by watering the back yard at night when the temperature dropped below freezing. He was a terrific self-taught ice skater and scared his wife, Marty, by letting their children ride a sled from the top of the garage, over the swing set, across the ice rink, and out into the street. He was a fun dad.
Throughout his life, Orvill put his family first, but the church and faith were a close second. He was an active member of Christ the King Lutheran Church and other Lutheran churches during his lifetime, serving on church councils as president, treasurer, Sunday school teacher, lay reader, and usher. He did whatever else was needed to support the Lutheran churches he was a member of. For years he loved running the sausage and biscuit booth his church sponsored at the Mid-South Fair. He was also actively involved in his community, especially after his retirement, as a line dance teacher, a bridge organizer, and a sudoku instructor.
Orvill was preceded in death by his wife, Martha (Marty) Jamison Lonvick, his brother, Edward A. Lonvick, and his sister, Dorothy Lonvick Olson. Mr. Lonvick leaves his three children, Kathie Palmer (Chuck) of Atlanta, Chris Lonvick (Janet) of Calhoun, Georgia, and Lisa Lonvick of Atlanta; four grandchildren, Ruth Lonvick, Sarah Lonvick, James Palmer, and Kate Palmer.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, October 5, at Christ the King Lutheran Church. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, you remember Mr Lonvick with a donation to Christ the King Lutheran Church, 5969 Park Ave., Memphis, TN, 38129
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