Marvin Leo Lindmark

1942 - 2025

Marvin Leo Lindmark

November 7, 1942 - May 24, 2025

Overland Park, Kansas - Marvin L. Lindmark, Jr., 82, of Overland Park, KS, passed away peacefully on May 24th at Research Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Born on November 7, 1942, in Des Moines, IA, Marvin was preceded in death by his parents Marvin L. and Bette Lindmark, his brother John A. Lindmark, and his eldest son, Marvin L. Lindmark III. He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Gayle Lindmark; sons Russell A. Lindmark (Sheri) and Jeffrey C. Lindmark (Karin); daughter-in-law Mary Lindmark; and beloved grandchildren Patrick, Megan, Miranda, Lauren, Abigail, Harry, and Natalie.

Marvin joined the Army at age 20 as a paratrooper before eventually embarking on a decorated career as a helicopter pilot. He completed two tours in Vietnam as a member of the Jayhawks, often joking that flying combat missions was "easier than raising three toddlers under four." His first tour ran from November 1967 to November 1968, serving as a Flight Operations Officer. His missions ranged from supply runs and command coordination to the somber task of retrieving fallen soldiers. "Flying a helicopter is hours of pure boredom broken by minutes of pure fright," he often saidespecially recalling the time a boat deck tilted beneath his helicopter, nearly toppling it before takeoff.

He returned to Vietnam for a second tour from July 1971 to April 1972 as an Assistant Operations Officer, helping to coordinate the military's withdrawal. Despite the distance, Marvin stayed connected to home through letters that now fill a cherished drawer in his family's home. He retired from active duty in 1973 and continued flying in the Army Reserves, eventually rising to the rank of Major.

That same year, Marvin earned a business degree from the University of Puget Sound and began a new chapter as a computer programmer at Hallmark Cards. He advanced into management and continued his career at Hallmark, Anaconda Steel and finally Payless Shoes until retirement.

But Marvin was never one to sit still and he never met a stranger, making everyone feel welcome everywhere. He and Gayle volunteered with organizations including CASA, McDonald's Charities, and the Kokee Resource Conservation Program in Kauai. He found joy in traveloften planning elaborate trips with his grandchildrenand in teeing off on the golf course. He enjoyed his time with the Overland Park Men's Golf League including time serving on the board and as its president.

Marvin once said, "Anyone can handle the easy times. The measure of a person is how they handle the hard ones." By that standard, he lived a remarkable lifefull of courage, service, humor, and deep devotion to his family.

A celebration of life will be held at the Overland Park Arboretum, from 1-3 p.m. on June 15th.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to Disabled American Veterans, a cause Marvin cared about deeply, via check, payable to: Disabled American Veterans - P.O. Box 1430, Cincinnati, OH 45250 or by phone: 877-647-8387 or at www.dav.org.