Marvin Lee Carpenter was a husband, father, NASA Engineer, US Marine, musician and gave his time to make a difference in the community, he passed away on Friday, November 5, 2021. He was born in Kingfisher, OK and lived in Missouri, California, and Florida but the Coast of Mississippi was his true home. After serving in the USMC during the Korean War, he returned to get his Engineering degree and began a long career in aerospace working on multiple projects including designing instrumentation and testing of the 2nd stage of the Saturn V rockets as well as testing the Space Shuttle main engines.

Marvin was married to the love of his life Shirley Carpenter for 65 years. He is survived by his 4 children, Nancy Reed, Craig Carpenter, Tim Carpenter, Lori Carpenter; as well as 5 grandchildren; and 3 great grandchildren.

He always felt his calling was in aerospace, but his passions were his family and his love for music. Even with the very long hours to win he race to get a Man to the Moon Marvin always found time for his family and time to play his baritone saxophone.

Marvin was an active member of First Baptist Church in Long Beach, MS, and played saxophone in several community bands and served on several community boards. After his retirement from NASA, he was elected as State President of the Mississippi ARC and pushed to promote human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For 90 years Marvin always fought to make a difference and he will be missed but remembered by his many friends and loving family.

The visitation for family and friends will be on Friday, November 12, 2021, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 19130 Commission Rd., Long Beach beginning at 12:00pm, until the funeral service at 2:00pm.