Marvin Howard Love, Jr.

Marvin Howard Love, Jr., age 46, passed away on May 3, 2013, in King Cove, Alaska. Born on April 17, 1967, in Oxnard, California, growing up as a boy on his Native ancestral land the Alutiiq island of Kodiak, AK and his teen and adult years as a King Cove Tribal member on the Unangax land of King Cove, AK. Marvin was a man whose life was defined by resilience, integrity, and an unwavering devotion to his family and community.

Marvin graduated as Salutatorian from King Cove High School in the Class of 1986. From a young age, he demonstrated a quiet strength and determination that would come to define his life. He was baptized as an infant in the Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Cathedral on Kodiak Island, Alaska-a faith he held in deep respect throughout his life. Though he found his deepest connection to God through nature and hard work, Marvin always honored the traditions of the church and the elders who guided him.

A true son of Alaska, Marvin embodied the spirit of the land and sea. He endured incredible hardships and discomforts to provide for his family through subsistence gathering, hunting, and fishing. His work ethic was unmatched; he took great pride in calling the sea "his office," harvesting fish and crab that helped feed not only his loved ones but people around the world. His perseverance in the face of harsh elements was a testament to his character-he never complained, never wavered, and always upheld his responsibilities with quiet dignity.

Marvin's hands were rarely still. Whether fishing aboard his beloved vessel F/V Taurus or "tinkering around" at home, he had a remarkable ability to create something out of nothing. He could fix or fashion any tool needed for the task at hand. He found joy in simple pleasures: a hearty home-cooked meal, time spent with family and friends, and the beauty of the natural world that surrounded him. He had an eye for beauty and often drew inspiration from the wilderness that shaped him.

Though he spoke sparingly, Marvin's words carried weight. He earned respect from other men and admiration from women through his steadfast conduct and unwavering sense of duty. He never forgot the elders in his community-always sharing his bounty with them as a gesture of gratitude and reverence.

Marvin tragically lost his life when he fell from his boat during the night while commercial fishing. It is believed he fainted due to a history of occasional low blood pressure. His body was miraculously recovered by fellow fishermen who responded heroically to the search-a testament to the deep bonds of brotherhood among those who make their living on the sea.

He is survived by his devoted wife Sevilla Ingersoll Love; daughters Tracy Renee Love Spence and Kaitlyn Marie Love Walker; son Magnus Ingersoll Love; and father Marvin H. Love, Sr. He was preceded in death by his mother Walda Ann Chya Love Hoff. His stepfather Marvin Hoff; sister Lisa Ann Love Hoff Jackson; and stepbrother Marvin "JR" Hoff, Jr. followed him in death in the early years following his passing.

Services were held at the Russian Orthodox Church where prayers and blessings were offered by elders in accordance with Marvin's wishes. A memorial service followed at the King Cove Community Center with a large attendance reflecting the deep affection so many held for him. The gathering overflowed with food and heartfelt tributes to a life well lived. A wake was held at his home where family and friends came together to remember Marvin's legacy with love and laughter. He was honorably laid to rest in King Cove Cemetery beside his mother, stepfather, and sister-forever overlooking the ocean and town he loved so well.

Marvin Howard Love, Jr. leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and selfless devotion that continues to inspire all who knew him. He is dearly missed by his beloved wife, cherished children, extended family, friends, and community-until we all will meet again in joyous reunion.