Marvin Henry Dawkins Jr.

REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF MARVIN DAWKINS Marvin Henry Dawkins, Jr. was born December 2, 1944, and died April 16, 2026, of a massive heart attack. This was preceded with about five years of declining health, and struggles related to that. Surrounded by his family, he was secure in his future home with God and was already preparing his list of questions. Marvin was born in Orlando, Florida (BD: Before Disney) and was a true Florida Cracker. An only child, he was blessed to have close cousins, Jere, Terry and Billy James that kept him in and out of trouble! They were boys that loved to run, play ball and fish till mom called them home. Early on, Marvin's athletic ability kept him busy, leading to year round sports: Football, Basketball, and Baseball, at Boone High School and always playing in other rec programs. The sports led to lifelong friends. Marvin received a football scholarship to Florida State, but ultimately ended up at Texas A&M, where he majored in Business. He lettered in football and baseball (fairly unusual for college sports) and even pitched in the College World Series. Unfortunately, an injury forced him from the playing fields, and he pursued his degree, graduating in 1966 with BBA in Management. He returned to Orlando, with hopes of starting his career in business. Unfortunately, his father died of a heart attack shortly after his return to Orlando, and he stayed on to help his mother. As this was the time of "space" and "defense", he worked for Martin Marietta for his first years in the business world, while working on an MCS (Masters of Commercial Science) at Rollins College. Ready to spread his wings, he accepted an offer to come to Atlanta, and work in franchise services for Waffle House. His career with Waffle House spanned 17 years, rising to the title of Asst. Vice President/Corporate Training Director. His last meal in a restaurant was lunch at Waffle House, where he would still watch from the booth to see how operations were going. Some burn out in the 24 hour food business led him to pursue other opportunities, sales, training, and ultimately becoming a partial owner of a small start-up company, Hydro Dynamics, developing use applications for a new invention used in the biodiesel and ethanol gas industry, called 'Shock Wave Power Generator'. His career at Hydro was 17 years, and left for early retirement in 2008, due to the economy, still retaining partial ownership. In 1977, Marvin met Margot Morris at the Waffle House offices and was immediately looking at his future. The courtship had some starts and stops...as he realized that this was the prayer he had asked God for...a Christian wife...and hearing God's answer to his prayer, scared him to death! He backed off, and then later he realized she was true to her faith, and what he had asked for! (of course, her large family was a little overwhelming!) They married on April 25, 1981, at Rainbow Park Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia, and surprised all of the guests (including Margot's mother) by leaving the wedding in a Hot Air Balloon! Several months later, he accepted the Lord as his Savior and was baptized on August 30, 1981. Margot and Marvin were blessed with three sons: Matthew, Michael and Marshall. The following 25 years were filled with sports activities, church, and Marvin's love of fishing. He enjoyed working in the yard, talking with neighbors as they walked by, and supporting Margot when she pulled him along to her community activities. They joined Mt. Vernon Baptist in 1990 and have been active since finding their church home. Marvin loved to read, and was curious, always asking questions of his teachers, and the ultimate question: Why? He was kind, concerned for those that were hurting, and always willing to invite strangers into their home. He looked forward to his annual fishing trip to Alaska and started preparing for the following year as soon as he got home each year. It was a dream trip and he was thankful to Margot's uncle Grover who invited him the first year. Marvin is survived by his wife of 45 years, Margot, sons Matthew, Michael and Marshall. His extended family included brother-in-law Mark Morris (Ginger) and his three daughters, Lindsey, Tessier and Annie, and niece Lauren Morris-Bird; the Curry family and the Morris family; and his Florida family, his cousins Terry James and Bill James (Jody) and Monnette Yarbrough (Ben). His "Band of Brothers" covered one end of the country to another...but they usually all returned to Central Florida. The bond was strong to the end, and he loved them all. Condolences may be submitted on-line at www.scotward.com. Scot Ward Funeral Services, 699 American Legion Road, Conyers, GA 30012, 770-483-7216.

Marvin Henry Dawkins Jr.

December 2, 1944 - April 16, 2026