Marvin Lee Tahmahkera

Marvin Lee “Key Wolf” Tahmahkera was born September 10, 1933 in Lawton, Oklahoma. He was called home January 7, 2025 in Chandler, Arizona, peacefully surrounded by family and some new friends. 

Marvin is survived by his son, Marvin Tahmahkera Jr, daughters Susan Tahmahkera and Jewel Rhodes, brother Garrison Tahmahkera and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Marvin was raised in Walters, Oklahoma by his mother Ida and father Wilson. 

Marvin spent his youth helping the family by working hard on the farm with his brothers and sisters. He graduated Walters High School in 1952, then attended and graduated from Draugh’s Business College. In 1954, Marvin joined the the U.S. Navy protecting our country during the cold war on a radar picket ship and attack cargo cruiser. During his service, he was a boxer on the USS Skagit boxing team and had proven himself to be a tough fighter. After his discharge from the Navy in 1964, he found himself in Chicago facing hard times; until his friends brought him into the alcoholic anonymous (AA) family. After battling and defeating his demons, Marvin met Menominee native Glenda Dodge and they married. Marvin and Glenda started a family with children Marvin Jr and Susan in the south suburb of Orland Park, Illinois. 

During the late 1970’s and 80’s, Marvin founded the Comanche steel company, along with friends Donald Howard and Joseph McKenzie. The Comanche steel company provided specialty steels to customers large and small. Marvin, always very fit, also took up long distance running and completed several marathons around the United States. Further, Marvin remained active with AA, and led many men and women to sobriety over the years. In the early 1990’s, after the steel industry fell on hard times, Marvin closed his business and, again, reinvented himself with the help of the St. Croix Chippewa Nation of Wisconsin. They lovingly adopted him into their community where he worked for the tribe and their casino for over twenty years. During his time in Wisconsin, Marvin met, and fell in love with, Marie Rhodes-Tierney. Their love brought forth Marvin’s second daughter, Jewel, in October of 1997. 

In 2019, Marvin decided to take a well deserved retirement and moved to Chandler, Arizona to live with his son during his twilight years. 

Marvin will be remembered by his friends and family as a true Comanche warrior who put others before himself. His warm and caring demeanor, coupled with a strong sense of humor, will live on in the memories of many for years to come. Marvin had the right combination of toughness, love, generosity and sensitivity. His adaptability, cunning, and intelligence served him well; traits he has since passed on to family and friends. Marvin “Key Wolf” Tahmahkera will be missed.

An Arizona Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at Whitney & Murphy Bueler Mortuary, 14 W. Hulet Drive, Chandler, Arizona 85225.

Oklahoma services will be at a date and location to be determined.

Wisconsin services will be at a date and location to be determined.