Marvin C. Shoop

Marvin C. Shoop was born August 9, 1930 in Joliet, Montana to Henry Merritt Shoop and Jeanette Marcelle Lamboley. At the age of 85 Marvin passed away June 3, 2016.

As a child Marvin lived in Montana (Joliet, Eureka, Billings), South Dakota (Red Shirt Table, Pine Ridge and, Oglala), Nebraska (Rushville) and, Wyoming (Pavillion, the Arapaho Ranch on the Arapaho Reservation, and Shoshoni). Due to the family's frequent moves Marvin attended three high schools. The first semester of high school he attended Rushville High School (NE) as a boarding student. At the Thanksgiving holiday he moved with his family to north central WY. He attended the remainder of the school year at Pavillion High School. The remaining three years he spent at the Shoshoni High School where he graduated salutatorian in 1948.

Marvin attended the University of Wyoming in 1948 – 1952. He was a founding member of the Farm House Fraternity, University of Wyoming Chapter. Marvin graduated with honors, Bachelors of Science, in Animal Production.

Immediately following graduation Marvin joined the Navy. He attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. After graduation from Officer Candidate School, he was stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where he served as a Communications Officer, encrypting messages. His next duty station was on the aircraft carrier US Shangri- La, CVA-38. He was honorably discharge as a Lieutenant after 40 months of active service.

Marvin returned to Wyoming to marry his college sweetheart, Mary Sabin in Lusk, Wyoming in fall of 1955. One year later their first child was born, Valri. Marvin worked for the Wyoming Extension Service, based first in Rawlins, then in Cheyenne and, Wheatland. In 1957 he returned to the University of Wyoming for a master's degree in Range Management. He completed his masters in one year.

In 1958, Marvin accepted a position as a range scientist with the USDA-ARS at the Southern Great Plains Field Station in Woodward, Oklahoma. Their second child, Greg was born the fall of 1958. Three years later their third child, Jeri was born followed by DeeDee, two and half-years later.

As one who was never idle and enjoyed learning, Marvin permanently moved his family to Fort Collins, Colorado, the home of Colorado State University, in the winter of 1972. Marvin joined the Crops Research Lab in in Fort Collins, Colorado. He worked full time while he pursued his PhD. as a range scientist. Marvin was in charge of 16,000 acres of the Central Plains Experimental Range, located within the Pawnee National Grass Lands in north eastern Colorado. The typewritten thesis was reviewed and the committee granted him a PhD in Range Management in 1977. Marvin retired at the end of 1988 with 36 years of service to the Federal Government.

During his retirement Marvin continued to pursue his passions and interest. He thoroughly enjoyed wild flower photography; riding horse, rock hounding, repairing and making home improvements that the family lovingly referred to as "Marvinizing". True to his western roots, Marvin enjoyed collecting with a historical perspective on various types of barbed wire that ranged from the trenches of World War II to homestead era. One of his greatest passions was applying his research methods to family genealogies. He enjoyed sharing the fruits of his efforts with everyone.

Marvin is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary, his four children, Valri (David); Greg (Debra); Jeri, DeeDee (Brian Christensen); 11 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren; his brothers Gary (Nancy) of Riverton, Wyoming and, Lee (Janet) of Wheatland, Wyoming.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer Association in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524.

A Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 17, 2016 at Grandview Cemetery.