Obituary for Marvin Baumgardner

Marvin Baumgardner

(October 1, 1930 – October 6, 2015)

Marvin “Marv” Lowell Baumgardner (“Mr. B”), 85, of Napa, California, passed away peacefully with family by his side on October 6, 2015. “Dad was tired; he was ready and wanted to go home to be with Mom.”

Born Oct. 1, 1930 in Braman, Oklahoma, the son of the late Joseph Frank and Ethel Beatrice (Frazier) Baumgardner. Completing his education in local schools, he graduated from Arkansas City High School and then joined the United States Navy. After completing boot camp and radio school, he was transferred to Port Lyautey, Morocco for two years. His next transfer was to Skaggs Island near Napa, where he fell in love with and knew it was where he wanted to retire. While stationed at Skaggs Island, his childhood sweetheart Ynona Faye “Noni” Hoffmann, and her mother Florence, moved to Berkeley to be near. Noni and Marv were married the next year on December 28, 1952. After 20 years in the Navy, Marv retired at Skaggs Island: January 10, 1968 as Communication Technician Chief Petty Officer. During his service in the Navy he was stationed in San Diego, California; Bainbridge Island, Washington; Morocco; Skaggs Island (twice); Japan (twice ~ Kami Seya and Yokohama); Wahiawa, Hawaii; Northwest, Virginia (Norfolk); and Adak Alaska.

Marv’s Masonic life started in the Yokuska (Japan) Masonic Lodge # 120; June, 1964. During that same year he joined both the Scottish Rite Bodies and the Islam Shrine of San Francisco, (both in Tokyo, Japan). The following year Marv moved to Napa, and affiliated with Silverado Lodge #782 (now Napa Valley Lodge) and later Yount Lodge #12. In the early 70’s both of his daughters became active in Rainbow Girls, and Marv became very active with the Masonic life. His first duty as a Mason: Rainbow Dad ~ 1974 when Marilyn Ann was Worthy Advisor. He remained active to the day of his death. During these past 41 years he served the Blue Lodge faithfully, both Napa Valley Lodge (previously ~ Silverado Lodge) and Yount Lodge: Worshipful Master 3 times, Secretary for many years; Officer’s Coach and a member of the Funeral Committee. Marv received the prestigious Knights of the York Cross of Honour after serving as Worshipful Master of Blue Lodge; Illustrious Master of King Solomon’s Council of Cryptic Masons; High Priest of Royal Arch Masons; and Commander of the Commandry. Marv was recipient of the prestigious Hiram Award from Napa Valley Lodge; the Meritorious Service Award from Napa Chapter, Royal Arch Masons and the Service Award from Silverado Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. He was a 25 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Patron for Silver Spray Chapter #59 twice & Calistoga (now Silverado) Chapter #189 twice with his daughter Janet Werlé. The final chapter of his Masonic history and most cherished by Marv was helping Job’s Daughters. He was asked to be Associate Bethel Guardian of Bethel #185 in Napa for one year ~ that was 20 years ago. He also held the following in Jobs Daughters International: Grand Outer Guard of and Associate Grand Guardian of the state of California. He has been for years the Chief Financial Officer for the California Job’s Daughters Foundation.

Marv’s hobby since teenage years was being a pilot and later a Flight Instructor. He was also proud to serve and be part of the Napa County Sheriff’s Aero Squadron. He will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather with many surrogate daughters including Colleen Parks, Athena Antipas, and Linda Chagnon. He will also be dearly missed by his beloved Job’s daughters whom he considered each and every one as his own daughter.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, infant sister Norma Janet, sister Darla Rose, and loving wife of 55 years Noni Baumgardner. He is survived by his two daughters: Janet Werle, with whom he lived in Napa; and Marilyn Ann Diamond and her husband Randall of Houston, Texas. Also surviving are Marilyn’s children: Hope Lynn Diamond; Tiffany Kay Poteat, her husband Rich, and their children Walter Leroy, Audrey Faye, and Randall John, and David Diamond and his two daughters Julia Claire and Rachel Grace.

Graveside services, with military honors provided by the United States Navy, will be held Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at 3:30 pm at the Lamont Cemetery, Lamont, Oklahoma.

Open visitation will begin Monday morning October 12, 2015.

The family asks that memorials be made to the California Job’s Daughters Foundation, 303 W. Lincoln Ave., Suite 210, Anaheim, CA 92805