I'm so sad and shocked to hear of Marvin's passing. He a was a very genuine and personably man. I worked for Marvin at KEYC when he started in 2013 until late 2015 when I left for another job in Knoxville, TN.
It was refreshing to have him come on board with new and innovative ideas that got KEYC down the path it needed to stay relevant.
I'll always remember how fond of my work he was for some reason and he would alway tease me and call me a genius while treating me like a superstar haha. He was always very approachable and always listened...which sometimes you never get from a General Manager.
I wish I knew what he was going through over the past year so I could reach out and see how he was doing, but I know he had some amazing family support to get him through.
I have been numb ever since getting the news about Marvin. How can it be? My dear colleague, friend, and confidant is gone. And I can't imagine a world without him in it.
Our hearts are broken. And we are left trying to make sense of something we can't understand.
I met Marvin when I took a job in Portland in April of 1999. Laura and I had just driven across the country from Ohio and were both fighting a cold. So we stopped at a Fred Meyer to get some medicine. We were standing in line to pay, and from behind us we heard, "Kurt?" You can imagine how surprised we were because nobody in Oregon knew who I was. We turned around and there he was. "Hi. I'm Marvin Rhodes. The Program Director at KPTV. Welcome to Portland." He just happened to be at the store, recognized me from my audition tape and visit, and said hello.
From from that moment on, we became fast friends.
I will cherish the times I spent in his office chatting at KPTV, the wonderful Thanksgiving dinners we had with the Rhodes family, and the amazingly long email exchanges we would have when I moved back to Ohio. Lord, how he like to write long emails. His last one just a few weeks ago was so full of good news about his health, and the family. We were going to make plans to chat on the phone. To my deep regret, it didn't happen.
Marvin was a wonderful, gentle, caring, loving soul who leaves the world much better off having been here.
To Davona, Brandon, and Kathleen, I say "I'm so sorry." Peace be with you all.
To my dear friend Marvin I say "thanks." You couldn't have been a better friend. I will miss you every day of my life.
I am shocked and saddened to learn about the death of Marvin! My thoughts and prayers go to Davona and their children, Brandon and Kathleen, and his sister Marilyn and her family. I've known Marvin since he was a high school student at Creswell HS, and I ("Miss Bender") was a business education teacher there. I give thanks for the privilege of sharing, over the years, in Marvin's life journey. A Big Hug to you, Marvin! God Bless You.
Marvin was a creative and innovative broadcaster, an inspired program director and general manager. Marvin’s family always came first and I will always remember him as a kind, thoughtful and wonderful friend who always made me smile.
Aloha Davona and the entire Rhodes Family. Its taken me a couple days to process Marvin's passing. I was still counting the days that you both would return to Maui to visit us again. Marvin and I started our friendship at KPTV 12 in Portland, Oregon - he was the Program Director and I was a floor director then production director that did all the local Jerry Lewis MDA Labo Day Telethons which Marvin hosted on-air in Medford, Oregon. We both loved MDA, Jerry's Kids and of course Jerry Lewis. Marvin actually became very close to JL and the two talked all the time. I believe he had JL on speed dial. After 30 years of working the MDA Telethons for KPTV, I was offered a job at MDA National Headquarters in Tucson as director/producer for the National Show and Marvin was still totally involved, would fly down for meetings and Davona and he would get together with Sue and I in Tucson. All we would do is talk about MDA, the kids, our adult friends affected by neuromuscular diseases and of course JL. We were both so passionate for the organization and I think he admired that I worked for them for 12 years - so goes our love story. I can't believe he's gone and my heart crys out so much from his passing but Heaven Just Received Another Angel. As my tears drip from my eyes right now I can't believe he's gone. My hope is that he is hanging out with JL in heaven and having a blast. My sincere condolences, Hunt Decker - Marvin's Friend.
Rhodes Family -
I am so very sorry to hear of Marvin's sudden passing. He and I served on the GMG Board and Executive Committee together and I had a chance to do some work for him at KEYC as well. He was one of my favorite people - always so enthusiastic, quick with a compliment and just so very, very kind. I'm truly saddened by his death but know that JZ was there to greet him with a huge hug and smile. Your family is in my prayers.
Dear Davona, Brandon, and Kathleen:
Tom and I have such heavy hearts now, thinking about our dear, dear friend’s passing. As I move through my day, memories of fun, good times together resurface in my mind. And, I keep thinking of how he always referred to me as “Mrs. Long”.
Tom will be there on Friday and Davonna, I will be there to see you when we get to Eugene this summer.
Cry your tears, laugh your laughs, know that he is in your heart forever.
Love and hugs to all of you,
Karen
The man responsible for the job I have today is no longer with us. I have Marvin to thank for teaching me a lot of leadership, making tough decisions and sticking by them. I also have him to thank for a friendship. It's not often you make friends with your boss, but I did. He took me under his wing to show me the ropes and really, took a chance on the weather guy to be the news director. We'll miss his smile and his laugh as well as his insight.
Davona, Brandon and Kathleen, you have my condolences. It was an honor and a privilege to work with and for Marvin at KEYC.
I am so saddened to hear of this loss! My heart goes out to your entire family. Marvin was so incredibly supportive from the very moment I met him and was a treasured friend immediately. He was such a kind and genuine man. He was and always will be so loved for the true blessing he was.
Ohhhh noooo.... I am weeping. Marvin and I text more in the last year, than ever before. With yours, my heart is broken. Marvin was my Producer for almost 10 years in Chicago. Emmy Award winning Marvin!!! Inspiration Sensation.... he was the heartbeat of ALLLL of us on the show. He literally invested his ALLLL into it.....that’s WHY it was such an International success. He was the consummate Professional on EVERY level. Sweet Davona.....HOW HE LOVES YOU AND HIS FAMILY>>>>>it was every conversation we had on the television set.....omgggg this seems unreal. Marvin was the most GENTLE MAN i have EVER known.....he always made me want to be a better man. His INTEGRITY, HUMOR, CREATIVE GENIUS, and love for GOD.....made him the dearest man on earth. He ended every text with, BIG HUGS, Marvin. Ohhhh how i wish for that......Marvin, take your rest..... I will see you on the other side.....and I promise.....BIG HUGS, dan. I love you ALLLLLLL.......FOREVER!!!!
I'm so sad and shocked to hear of Marvin's passing. He a was a very genuine and personably man. I worked for Marvin at KEYC when he started in 2013 until late 2015 when I left for another job in Knoxville, TN.
It was refreshing to have him come on board with new and innovative ideas that got KEYC down the path it needed to stay relevant.
I'll always remember how fond of my work he was for some reason and he would alway tease me and call me a genius while treating me like a superstar haha. He was always very approachable and always listened...which sometimes you never get from a General Manager.
I wish I knew what he was going through over the past year so I could reach out and see how he was doing, but I know he had some amazing family support to get him through.
Take care,
Cole Ryg