Marvin Francis Rider, age 65, passed away December 15, 2018 at his home in Kanab, Utah.  On Feb 25, 1953, Elmer James Rider and Pauline Anderson Rider drove in a blizzard from their home in Kanab, UT to the hospital in Panguitch, Utah, where he was born. He was their third child. He lived in Kanab until Sept. 1957 when the family moved to Fredonia, Arizona.  He was a math prodigy, finishing all the high school level math classes in the 5th grade. He was 8th grade and High School Valedictorian, and was accepted for college at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and at BYU, where he was offered a full tuition and fees scholarship. He attended BYU and had a great experience there. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Brazil Central Mission.

Marvin received training in Henderson, Nevada for what was to be his life’s work. In 1981-86, he worked as a freelance mason for projects in Kanab and Salt Lake City, Ruby’s Inn, etc. In 1987 he returned to Las Vegas and ran construction crews for building pools, spas and waterfalls, many of which won national awards. He spent almost 2 years working on a 30 million dollar summer cabin on the South Shore of  Lake Tahoe. He was responsible for stone projects in the visitor centers at Bryce Canyon, Zion Canyon, Grand Canyon (North and South Rims), Great Basin, Painted Desert, Grand Staircase, the Cedar City airport terminal, and a lot of high end custom homes and projects in and around Kanab and more recently in Montana.

Marvin loved music, especially the old cowboy western songs and yodeling songs his father used to sing. He was tone deaf as a youth, but was able to get to the point where he could sing in choirs, and a few quartets, and even wrote a few songs. He loved good humor, and had an incredible collection of customizable jokes committed to memory.

Marvin loved playing softball, basketball, horse shoes, ping pong, and bowling. He loved to travel and he went on various trips, especially to the ruins of Mexico and Central America and he loved studying about the Mayan, Olmec, Aztec, and Incan civilizations. He also found time to visit good friends everywhere and became good friends with their children too, many of whom still call him “Uncle Marvin.”

On July 28, 2001 at the age of 48, Marvin was married in the St. George Temple to Denise Bowers, who has 4 children from a previous marriage.  He served in the church as a multi-regional young single adult chairman for the Las Vegas area, Gospel Doctrine teacher, in various Elders Quorums as councilor and president, Stake High Councilor, Young Men’s President, Bishoprics, Ward Mission Leader, and most recently as High Priest Group Leader. He developed a love for the scriptures and of the prophets. In recent years, he developed a great love for Family History work, and found thousands of his relatives, who have subsequently had their temple work  completed.

In Sept 2017 Marvin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and fought valiantly to the end.

Marvin is preceded in death by his father Elmer James Rider, his mother Pauline Anderson Rider, and his brother Ronald Anderson Rider.  He is survived by wife Denise Rider; brothers Richard Rider, Dennis (Berlinda) Rider, Robert (Vicki) Rider, and Curtis Rider; sister Shirlyn (Will) Opfar; children Benjamin (Mikelle) Dowse, Elizabeth (Taylor) Correy, Clinton Dowse, and Hannah Dowse; as well as 11 grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and -nephews.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 22, 2018 at 1:00 PM in the Kanab Kaibab Stake Center, 1435 South McAllister Drive, Kanab.  Viewing will be held from 11:00-12:45 at the Stake Center.  Burial will be in the Kanab Cemetery.  Arrangements were made with Mosdell Mortuary.