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Marvin Thorpe, 80, spouse of retired ordained Deacon Jacqulyn Thorpe, died Dec. 29, 2013. The Rev. Jacqueline Jones-Smith officiated at a funeral service Jan. 3, 2014, at North Bethesda UMC. Interment was Jan. 22 at Quantico National Cemetery.

Marvin Thorpe was born Jan. 22, 1933, the oldest of five children born to Marvin Thorpe Sr. and Lucille Boldin Thorpe in Raleigh, N.C. His parents owned and operated a neighborhood grocery store where he helped and learned his strong work ethic. He graduated with a BS degree from A & T College in Greensboro, N.C.

Thorpe served in the U.S. Army for 22 years, retiring in 1977 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was a helicopter pilot and had two back-to-back deployments to Vietnam.

He married Jacqulyn Brown in 1963. They had four children.

After retiring from his military career, the Thorpes moved to Bethesda where he shared parenting the children and encouraged his wife in her call to serve The United Methodist Church as an ordained Deacon. She was a professor at Howard University from 1993 until her retirement in 2008.

The family joined North Bethesda UMC, where he was especially active on the Finance Committee. Recently he has been a Sunday morning offering counter.

Survivors include his wife, daughters Crystal Thorpe of Silver Spring, Constance Thorpe of Bethesda and Kimberly Thorpe who lives in Ohio; and son Jeffrey Thorpe and his wife of Florida; and one grandson.

Condolences may be sent to Jacqulyn Thorpe, 9303 Parkhill Terrace, Bethesda, MD 20814.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross 8550 Arlington Blvd. Fairfax, Virginia, 22301.