Marvin Green

A Measure Of A Man

Marvin Aaron Green “Baye”

Those we love can never be more than a thought away,

for as long as there’s a memory, they live in our hearts to stay.

Marvin Aaron Green, affectionately called “Baye” by family and friends, was born October 1, 1949, in Denver, Colorado, to his parents Thomas Green and Vernice (Pipkin) Green. He was the youngest of three children born to this union, blessed to have one brother Alvin, and one sister, Barbara.

Marvin is remembered as being a good child, only getting in trouble when his sister would tattle tale on him and Alvin when they would get in fights and chase each other around. Baye and his siblings loved to spend time with their grandparents, Dennis and Minnie Pipkin. He spent a lot of time with his father working on cars and going fishing, but he was a momma’s boy to his core. His sister remembers the French fries he used to cook when they were in high school, how good they were and how she burnt the kitchen cabinets trying to cook them just like he did.

Marvin received his formal education in Denver Public Schools, attending Columbine Elementary, Smiley Junior High School and he graduated from Manual High School in 1967. He went on to continue his education at a local community college.

Marvin met the love of his life, Angelique (Lele) and together they loved and nurtured four daughters, Tanisha, Mandisa, Adrienne, and JáNet. As a couple, Marvin and Angelique enjoyed dressing up and attending various social events. They cared for and supported one another right up until the day she passed away.  Marvin truly was the original “Girl Dad”. He took great delight in the care and cultivation of his girls. He pressed and combed hair, ironed dresses, took them shopping for the latest clothes and shoes, cooked the best food and made sure they always had plenty of fun. They remember their dad as a jokester. He was always playing tricks, telling jokes and making up funny sayings such as “I'm more tired than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest!” It was evident to all that Marvin took great pride in being everything for his girls: their provider, confidant, and biggest supporter. A gentle man with a commanding presence, Marvin was also the disciplinarian when needed. He rarely raised his voice but always got his point across. JáNet recalls: “My Daddy was always there. Although he worked a lot, he still went on school field trips, never missed a parent teacher conference, was at every field day, recital, talent show performance, track meet, everything. And he was my road dog. When I was in high school, we’d have the big basketball games at the Thunder Dome, and while other kids were going with their friends, I was with my Daddy. And I loved it!”

While Marvin cherished his girls, the greatest joy in his life was being a grandfather to two granddaughters and five grandsons.  A proud and loving grandfather, his grandchildren remember being in the kitchen with him, family gatherings at his house, and always knowing they can depend on grandpa to be there when they needed him. Marvin formed an especially close bond with Jaaziah, his “buddy”, who, from a young age, often spent much of his free time with his grandpa and later assisted his mother in caring for his grandpa once he fell ill. Late last year, when Marvin finally went home after spending over 7 months in the hospital and rehab center, Jaaziah spent every weekend at his grandpa’s house, cooking him breakfast, helping him with dressing and grooming, giving him his medicines, and making sure he ate and stayed hydrated. Together they enjoyed watching Martin, Wild “N” Out and Family Feud and Marvin loved for Jaaziah to play guitar for him.

As young adults, Marvin and friends Cisco, Jack, Sims and brother Alvin formed Jamma Productions.  They held parties for young adults at various locations throughout Denver and Marvin was the DJ. He loved music and owned a large collection of vinyl. He later went on to form his own maintenance and landscaping company, MA Green’s Maintenance Contractor. During this time the “Dog Pound” was born. A place mainly shared with friends and select family where they would congregate, play dominoes, and just hang out creating fond memories.  Marvin was employed at Wells Fargo where he served as a Work Director and Coordinator in the Customer Statements department. Always one with a strong work ethic, he was admired by co-workers and often received awards and recognition for his work production and process improvement ideas and suggestions. Marvin was twice awarded the Service Excellence Award, an annual award given to outstanding employees in the organization, which included an all-expenses paid trip for the awardee and a guest. He retired from Wells Fargo in 2011.

Marvin was baptized at Macedonia Baptist Church at the age of 13. Always a spiritual person and yearning for knowledge, he researched and appreciated various elements from different faiths throughout his life. In his later years, he studied with members of the local Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Allowing what he learned to reach his heart, he accepted the Bible as truth, and acknowledged Jehovah as his God and Father and Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

An excellent cook, Marvin was well known for his ribs and family BBQ’s. He was also the King of what he called “throw togethers” - meals made from random ingredients thrown together that would feed a family of 6, usually for less than $10, and were delicious!  When he was physically able, Marvin loved working with his hands, including assembling and painting model cars, doing various DIY projects around his home, and working in his garden. In addition, he loved watching football, especially his Broncos, and In the Heat of The Night, as well as visiting with and playing spades with friends in his senior community. Prior to the pandemic, some nights they would be in the community room playing cards and listening to music until one or two o’clock in the morning! Marvin especially loved being with his family.

He will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know this kind and wonderful teddy bear of a man, who leaves a legacy of love, joy and happiness. To know Marvin was to truly love him. He was indeed the measure of a man…with a gregarious personality, a huge heart and smile to match his heart.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas A. and Vernice Green; his brother, Alvin T. Green; and his loving companion, Angelique Woods.

Marvin Aaron Green fell asleep in death on September 17, 2021, in Denver Colorado. Those left to cherish his memory and mourn his loss include great aunt, Dennie Lee Pipkin- Simmons of Denver, CO; his sister, Barbara (Billy) Smith of Denver, CO; his daughters, Tanisha (Anthony) Presley of Westminster, CO, Adrienne Woods of Las Vegas, NV, Mandisa Perry of Aurora, CO, JáNet (James) Hurt of Denver, CO; grandchildren, Jourdane Perry-Woods of Aurora, CO, Aaron Perry of Jason, TX, James Hurt II of Aurora, CO, Anthony Presley of Westminster, CO, Andre Presley of Westminster, CO, Jaaziah Hurt of Denver, CO, Jade Hurt of Denver, CO; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.