James Marvin Carman

1941 - 2017

James Marvin "Marv" Carman

Union City

James Marvin "Marv" Carman, 76, of Union City, passed away on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at Glenn Arbor Hospice Residence in Battle Creek.

A celebration of Marv's life will be held on Monday, September 25, 2017 at 11 AM at Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation in Union City with Pastor David Mathis officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 24, 2017 from 4-8 PM, also at Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation. Private interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Union City.

Marv was born on September 13, 1941 in Dearborn, MI to John and Olive (Pepple) Carman. The family relocated to Tekonsha when he was young and Marv graduated from Tekonsha High School in 1958. In June of 1962, he married the former Judith Marten. That union ended in divorce. In April of 1984, he married Marcia (Brown) Bennett, who survives.

Marv had a passion for cars and motor sports. He sold vehicles and managed car dealerships, including Classic Chrysler-Plymouth in Marshall, Erich Henkel in Battle Creek and Max Larsen Ford in Coldwater.  He began racing cars in the 1960s, starting on a dirt track at Butler Speedway and continuing with TRI-SAC, USAC and Super Modified sanction events. Marv won hundreds of races and numerous national awards, including USAC Rookie of the Year. During his career, he set multiple track records and held the Sprint Car world record, set at Winchester Speedway in 1976. In recent years, he continued to own and build race cars. He was inducted into the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

Family, friends and the racing community remained close to Marv's heart. Highly patient, he loved kids and was always teaching someone how to do something. He especially liked helping younger race drivers improve their skills. His suggestions were given tentatively, with his trademark, "It's just me talking, but what you might want to do . . . " He was usually right and always caring and helpful.

An active member of the Union City community, Marv engaged in farming and raising funds for Community Unlimited, for construction of the Dearth Union Township Library and for the Union City Sesquicentennial Free Fest. He was an idea person who liked organizing projects and never gave up easily. In 2008, Marv was named a Union City Citizen of the Year. While the accolades pleased him, he was always quick to say, "It wasn't just me; I was only one person." 

Marv will be remembered for his contributions to motor sports racing, his love of life, his friendliness and commitment to community. He never met a stranger nor missed an opportunity to help someone.

Left to remember Marv are his wife, Marcia; his children, Teresa (Brad) Mynhier of Bronson, Rob (Lisa) Bennett of Centralia, MO, and Kristen (Myron) McPhail of Battle Creek; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a sister, Barbara (James) George of Union City; and sisters-in-law Nancy Carman of Coldwater and Cara Carman of Battle Creek. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Nancy Carman, Patricia Hughes and Beverly Smith; and his brothers, John Carman, Jr. and Jerry Carman.

Memorial contributions may be made to Community Unlimited, Union Township Friends of the Library or the American Cancer Society. Please visit www.lighthousefuneral.com to share memories, photos and videos with the family.