The family and friends of Marvin G. Messex mourn his death. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He died in Vero Beach, Florida on Thursday, July 10, 2014 from his long struggle with cancer.

Marvin was born in Louisville, Kentucky on November 8, 1933. He moved, as a young man, to California where he received his Bachelor degree from California State University, San Francisco and a Master of Public Health from the University of California at Berkeley. In his long career working for the Santa Barbara County Department of Public Health, he made many contributions in the fields of both mental and public health. He worked to improve the lives of those who were suffering from mental health disorders while incarcerated.

Throughout his life Marvin enjoyed many sports, including tennis, racquetball, boules and was a croquet enthusiast. During his years at Johns Island Club in Vero Beach, Florida, he played in many competitions. He won his tenth singles croquet championship at age 80! He spent summers with his wife, Jean, at her familys place "Larchwood" in Blue Hill, Maine, where they were members of the Kollegewidgwok Yacht Club and the Blue Hill Country Club, where he served as president from 1992-1995. In Maine, Marvin was often seen fishing in Blue Hill Bay and was famous for his smoked mackerel.

Marvin is survived by his wife of thirty-five years, Jean (Palmer); his older brother Monte Messex (Shan); his two sons from a previous marriage: Montgomery Messex (Kim) their children Bela and Max; Michael Messex (Tina) their children Jacob, Luella and Megan; Jean's six children from her previous marriage: Hanna Henderson (Kris) their children Morgan, Whitney and Emma Claire; Lindsay McCrum; Elizabeth McCrum; Arlington Bliss (Bo) McCrum III (Barbara) their children Kathryn, Hanna and Matthew; Kate Boleyn; and William Palmer McCrum and his son Jacob. Marvin's first two marriages ended in divorce.

Marvin's wife and family would like to express their deep appreciation to the caring doctors and nurses who helped Marvin in his 17 year "Journey Through Cancer". In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Indian River Memorial Hospital or the Visiting Nurses Hospice House in Vero Beach, Florida or the Blue Hill Memorial Hospital in Blue Hill, Maine. A private service will be held in Blue Hill, Maine at a later date.