Marvin Dale Whitecotton Obituary (1948 - 2019)

SECOR -- Marvin Dale Whitecotton, 71, of Secor, died Saturday (Nov. 9, 2019) at his home. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington, with the Rev. John Pham officiating. Interment will follow the service at Scogin Hill Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. He was born March 29, 1948 in Tyronza, Ark., son of William "Ottis" and Jessie Lemons Whitecotton. He attended school in Bloomington and Harvard, Ill. In his youth he was active in track and Golden Gloves boxing. He volunteered to join the Marines for service in Vietnam, where his military duty involved him in the two worst battles of the war, Da Nang and the siege of Khe Sanh. He was awarded numerous metals for his valor. Afterward he attended ISU and studied law. Marvin was a handsome, intelligent, charming man with a dapper style of dress; this, coupled with his entrepreneurial spirit led to his first business in health, beauty and body fitness. He supported his community with both his business and property investments, along with producing fashion and hair shows with other Bloomington companies for mutual advancement of all. He was instrumental in several inventions in the health and beauty field. As a business leader he served on many boards of directors. He was one of the first leaders into the gourmet food truck industry, serving businesses, schools and feeding the hungry and homeless at the end of each day for free. As other service to mankind he fostered children and counseled other veterans, especially those of Vietnam. His younger siblings describe him as a kind, tutoring brother who offered guidance when needed. Marvin was a genius with memory and numbers and worked in Las Vegas as a sports statistician. After retirement he worked as an actor in feature films and episodic TV when he lived in California with his sister, Patsy. He was preceded in death his father, William "Ottis" Whitecotton; a brother, JC "Buddy" Wright Whitecotton. Marvin is survived by Mark Whitecotton, his son and devoted caregiver of 20 years; his mother, Jessie, and stepfather, Eldon Hinshaw; seven siblings, Patsy, Danny (Doris), Terry (Becky), Ken (Bonnie) Hinshaw, Judy Curtin, Deborah (Steve) Mehlberg and E. Jeffery Hinshaw. Also surviving are three aunts, numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and -nephews, a large number of close cousins, especially Turl and Tom Whitecotton. He was a life-long Christian. To express condolences, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.