Marvin B. Kayes

It's with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my father Marvin B. Kayes. What's the "B." stand for, you ask? Honestly, we never knew. Maybe after his father Willie Brack. Maybe Bradford. His mom Illa Mae had just one child and never did say. Just the initial B.
To us though, he was simply Marv, Daddy, Father, Pop. Pop is short for Popcorn. His granddaughters Taylor and Jordan Bean would help him scarf down a big mental tin of the flavored stuff during the holidays. Little hands covered in cheese dust.
To my brother-in-law Eddie, he was always Mr. Kayes. His trusty sidekick on the greens. His intern in medicine. The two of them definitely got their money's worth at any given buffet.
To me, he was Father. I must've picked up that formality from the hours and hours of British dramas he watched on PBS. We shared a love for movies and music, and he had pretty good taste. Anything related to Broadway or Halloween. Loved Elvis and Willie. Wasn't ashamed to admit his favorite Christmas song was "All I Want for Christmas" by Mariah.
To my brother Scott and sister Kim, he was Daddy. An innocent term of endearment for someone who served in Vietnam. Made Major in the Air Force. Treated thousands of patients. Built a deck with his bare hands. Dreamed of climbing Mount Everest.
But to my mom Sharon, he was Marv. The same small-town boy she met at age 12. They dated in high school. Eloped against their parents' wishes. And raised three kids from one end of the country to the other. Paid for braces, musical instruments, cars, and weddings. Then finally spent a little money on themselves, traveling places far and wide. They were married almost 64 years.
To his family, he was the lead meerkat. An anxious fellow who couldn't rest until his colony had all arrived safely at California Pizza Kitchen, the next stop on the tour.
At 82, it was a good death. No pain. Just a cancer that came and went within a few weeks. His family was there by his side as he was peacefully led home by his Lord and Savior. And that's all any of us can pray for.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.crowellbrothers.com. Arrangements by Crowell Brothers Peachtree Chapel Funeral Home, 5051 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Norcross/Peachtree Corners, GA 30092. (770)448-5757.