Marvin Dean Ash

Marvin Dean Ash, 1947-2021, beloved father, granddaddy, brother, and friend has passed from this life to the next as a result of complications from pancreatic cancer. Marvin was born October 14, 1947 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Ralph Henry and Leola Long Ash. His father passed away when Marvin was three years old. His family eventually moved to Logan, Utah where his mother taught school. Marvin had an older brother James, and a younger brother, Virgil. The three brothers loved basketball and grew up spending their time playing at the school across the street from their house. Marvin enjoyed playing basketball at Logan High School and in church leagues, where he played through adulthood. Marvin served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Northern California Mission. Upon his return he attended Utah State University and the University of Utah where he received a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work.

Marvin married the love of his life, Denise Ann Wagner, December 17 ,1971 and was sealed in the Logan Temple on January 5, 1973. They were happily married for nearly 40 years when Denise passed away from esophageal cancer. Marvin worked as a social worker for 30 years. The majority of his career was spent working for Valley Mental Health at the Intensive Treatment Unit. There he was the director of day treatment. In this capacity he provided treatment for those with mental illness. Marvin loved the people he served and served with great compassion and kindness. In 2002, Marvin received a kidney transplant. This gave him a new lease on life and allowed him to enjoy many more years with his family.

Marvin was a man of many interests. He was a voracious reader and especially loved Dostoyevsky. He was passionate about most music and attended as many live performances of the opera, symphony, concerts, and music festivals as he could. Marvin was an avid sports fan and had season tickets to the Utah Jazz and University of Utah football for many years. Marvin loved to travel and took many vacations visiting much of the country. His favorite time was spent on the north shore of Maui.

Marvin served in many callings in the Church. He served willingly and loved the people he served with. He especially enjoyed when he had the opportunity to teach and share his knowledge of the gospel and scriptures.

Marvin is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Leola Ash, his loving wife Denise, and his brother James. He is survived by his brother Virgil and his four children who love him with all of their hearts, Andrea (Don Claus), Nathaniel (Crystal), Matthew (Melissa), and Chelsea (Curtis Cottrell). He also helped to raise Andrea, Joe, and Melanie Bronas. Marvin had eight grandchildren who he loved spending time with, Jarom, Rachel, Emily, David, Camille, Matthew Jr., Abby, and Asher. They were the pride and joy of his life. Marvin had a full life and will be missed by all who knew him.

A viewing will be held at Larkin Mortuary, 1950 E. 10600 S., Sandy, UT, Thursday, May 13th from 6:00-8:00 pm. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 14th at 11:00 am at the Greenfield Chapel, 6634 S. Greenfield Way (1800 E.), Cottonwood Heights, UT. The funeral will be streamed live at the following link: https://youtu.be/_LCl06aM6Zc or the backup link: https://youtu.be/6QYyYQCBIV4 Internment at Larkin Sunset Gardens. Online condolences at www.larkincares.com.

A special thanks to those at Intermountain Homecare and Hospice, the nurses at Homespire Health, and the Utah Cancer Specialists.