Remembering Marvell Johnson

UAA campus facilities work was put on pause Friday as more than 60 colleagues and friends of Marvell Johnson took a few moments to honor an already much-missed presence on campus. At the memorial service in Rasmuson Hall, everyone was given an opportunity to share their memories of Marvell whose long history with the custodial crew earned him a reputation as the guy you could always count on in a pinch.

"Marvell was about making sure everyone was okay," read Chris Turletes, a quote from Georgia DeKeyser, who said she'd miss seeing him make his morning rounds every day.

Turletes, the associate vice chancellor for facilities and campus services, read remembrances from friends who couldn't attend the memorial and highlighted Marvell's history as a Ft. Richardson Army veteran who came to UAA 34 years ago, working his way up from custodian to lead custodian to custodial supervisor. He commended Marvell for his dependability and his big heart.

In the background, soft soul music played. A nod to Marvell's many years as host of KSKA's Soul to Soul program.

Retired custodial supervisor Rick Mason said, "Marvell had one attribute that always gave me comfort. He was always there to back me up. You could always call him, late at night, early in the morning." Directing his remarks to Marvell's wife Sherry sitting in front, he added, "Sherry, I'm sorry about all those times I called him at home. I hope he's found a great fishing spot and some good music in heaven."

One colleague moved a hinged desktop that pierced the silence with a shrill squeak. "Marvell would have fixed that," he said to appreciative chuckles from around the room. "No matter what Marvell said, he would make your day. My wife worked in the sports center and she told me she always knew when Marvell was coming down the hallway because, even at 5 a.m., he'd be singing."

"He was a real man," said another colleague from the lock shop, citing Marvell's sense of duty and his love for his family. He remembered fielding one phone call from Marvell, who was requesting keys, that was punctuated with some suspicious crunching in the background. Marvell fessed up that he was munching Corn Nuts. "I meant to buy him the biggest pack of Corn Nuts to leave anonymously at his retirement party, something I won't get to do now."

"He was a big man with a big heart and an even bigger smile," said Turletes before turning things over to Sherry, who shared the story of how she and Marvell met.

"Thank you for the love," she said. "You know Marvell proposed on Waikiki Beach 22 years ago." They'd met when she was working in customer service and sales for the Anchorage Daily News, making auto-dialed phone calls to see if customers were satisfied with their delivery service. "My phone auto-dialed him and he said he was happy with his service, but to call back the next day for some referrals." That call led to another request-to call back after work hours and chat.

"He was attracted to my voice. And I was attracted to his. He wanted to take me fishing and I knew I had to tell him I was blind before he took me. When I did tell him, he couldn't have cared less, it just made him more intrigued. He loved me," she said, adding, "I need your prayers for strength."

Marvell's funeral was held Tuesday, Oct. 14.

UAA employees who would like to speak with a counselor are encouraged to call the Employee Assistance Program at (866) 465-8934.

Written by Jamie Gonzales, UAA Office of University Advancement