Marvin Lewis Harman

Marvin Lewis Harman Sr., formerly of Arp, Texas, passed away on Monday, November 17, 2025. He was born on July 22, 1942, to John (JW) Harman and Annie Lou Harman.

Funeral services will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church at 2:00 on Monday, November 24, 2025, in the church sanctuary with Bro. Tommy Harden officiating and Scott Fisher and Jenny Arrington providing music. Visitation will be one hour prior to services, 1:00 until 2:00, at the church. There will not be graveside rites. Marvin will be cremated, and one portion of his ashes will be buried at Ebenezer Cemetery in Arp and one portion to be spread on his beloved 51 acres between Arp and Troup at a later date.

Marvin was a loving husband to Claudia Harman for more than 40 years; an exceptional Daddy to his son, Marv Harman, Jr., and daughter, Anna Leah Fisher, as well as his three stepchildren: Rhonda Rieken, Rhett Rieken, and Rowdy Rieken. Marvin was Papa to 10 grandchildren: Christian Harman, Merissa Rieken, Riley Rieken, Grant Fisher, Julia Harman, Natalie Fisher, Abby Fisher, Thatcher Merritt, Tripp Rieken, and Bridger Rieken… who adored their Papa (especially when he was paying for vacation trips).

Marvin worked at Arp Post Office for 35 years, becoming Postmaster in 1975. He retired in Aug. 1997, as he said, “before the computer did him in!” Marvin was a fill-in preacher starting in the early 1970’s at churches in Golden, Alba, Point, Swan, and various other churches in the East Texas area. He was a faithful full-time preacher at Starrville Independent Methodist Church starting in May 1995 until retirement in September 2011.

Marvin served in the Army and fought in Viet Nam from September 1967 until August 1968. Besides all the other duties of fighting a war, he delivered mail from a helicopter to the front lines. He often said, “I had a mail sack in one hand and a machine gun in the other.” After returning home, Marvin worked at both Arp State Bank and the Arp Post Office; and later he was involved with various organizations such as the Lions Club and the American Legion, as well as serving on the School Board of Arp Independent Schools multiple years.

After retiring from his 2 occupations, Marvin and Claudia began to travel. His all-time favorite place was Lake Tahoe, and he was able to travel there just before his dementia started.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents J W and Annie Lou and brother, Sonny Harman.

Pall bearers will be Rhett Rieken, Rowdy Rieken, Christian Harman, Riley Rieken, Grant Fisher, and Jackson Rodgers. Honorary pall bears are Alan Conway, Richard Locklear, and Ronnie Pyron.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to one of the following:
• Arp Emmanuel Baptist Church, PO Box 87, Arp, TX 75750
• Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75701-6623
• Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 97394, Washington, DC 20077-7967
• Children’s Village, PO Box 6564, Tyler, TX 75711-9970
• College of the Ozarks, PO Box 17, Point Lookout, Missouri 65726-9986

Arrangements are under the direction of Cottle Pearson Funeral Home in Overton, TX.

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