Marvin Leo Carlock Jr. was born June 8, 1950 in Benkeleman, Nebraska to Marvin and Harriet(Long) Carlock. He was the youngest of 5 children, joining siblings Stanley, Cheryl, Sandy and Linda.
Marv attended school in Haigler, Nebraska and graduated from the Haigler High School in 1968. He went on to attend Western Nebraska Technical School in Sidney and majored in Construction and later put that education to work in Scottsbluff. He returned to Haigler and worked ranch jobs before going to work for his friend, Bill Sass at the Conoco station in Yuma. He later took a job with Kansas – Nebraska Natural Gas in Yuma in residential distribution. He transferred a few years later to the gas field maintenance department in Wray. He retired from the gas industry after 30 years and many company changes. During those same years Marv built a very successful trailer sales business and was a leading sales person for multiple manufacturers for many years.
Marv was a kind-hearted, generous, caring man that spread love, hope, encouragement and laughter wherever he went. He loved family and friends, rodeo, and Nebraska Football. No one had more stories to share than Marv – he had a story for everything and everyone. He loved helping people. He loaned trailers on a handshake, helped any kid who asked in nearly every way they asked, donated for every worthy cause and challenged others to match his donation, and organized countless fundraisers and events. He was a staunch supporter (and often unsolicited coaching advisor). of the Nebraska Cornhusker Football team. Seldom did he tell a story about anyone that he couldn’t tell you what car they were driving at the time.
Marv’s fascination with rodeo began early at the local jackpot rodeos. He and Mike Callicrate organized and hosted bull riding schools. Marv and some friends developed one of the first call-in entry systems for rodeo events but his favorite story was about “saving” the 1980 Mountain States Circuit Finals . He and Don Chrismer were among the ambitious few that raised funds and made arrangements so the finals would not be cancelled. Marv was proud to have been the PRCA Rodeo Chairman for the Yuma County Fair and Rodeo years from 1995 to 2005 and earned the award for “Most Improved Rodeo” in the Mountain States Circuit. Although he received many awards in all those years his real trophies were in the friends, contacts, and memories made.
Marv met Mary Ann Sullivan in 1995 on a blind date arranged by the most unlikely matchmakers. They made a home together in 1999 and married on June 26, 2014. In those years and until his last breath on July 7, 2023 they were seldom apart for more than a day or two.
Marv dealt gracefully and with great strength through many health challenges. Even on his worst days he managed to be everyone’s favorite patient. He was blessed to be supported by the most amazing and diverse medical team, many of whom he was pleased to call friend and family.
Marv was preceded in death by parents Marvin and Harriet Carlock, and brothers-in-law Rodney Schlepp and Russell Miller and father-in-law Don Sullivan. Marv leaves to keep his memory alive his wife, Mary Ann and (fur kid) Katie, siblings and their families Stanley and LaNeta Carlock, Cheryl and Sid Raile, Sandy and Junior Magley and Linda Miller, in-laws Virginia Sullivan, David and Catherine Sullivan, Donalee and Bill Barner Dennis and Denise Sullivan, and Sherron Sullivan and chosen family Curt and Wendy Keeler, Chester and Marcia Zwirn, Ida Heaton, Bruce Courtney and Joy Batt and way too many dear friends to list on this page.
Memorials are requested to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund or Regent Park Nursing and Rehabilitation.
Please remember Marv for his kind and giving nature, his teasing, and his willingness to go out of his way to help.
A Receiving of Family & Friends was held on Thursday, July 13, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home in Wray, Colorado.
Funeral Service was held on Friday, July 14, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at the Haigler Legion Hall, 135 N. Porter Avenue, Haigler, Nebraska. Interment will be in the Benkelman Cemetery in Benkelman, Nebraska.
Memorials may be made to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund or Regent Park Nursing & Rehabilitation & Carriage House, 816 S. Interocean Avenue, Holyoke, Colorado 80734.
Memorials are requested to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund or Regent Park Nursing and Rehabilitation.
Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home, 427 Adams Street, Wray, Colorado 80758 was entrusted with the arrangements.
2023-07-25