From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Marshall, MI

My good friend of many years, Marv Mitchell , passed away last night. As many of you know, Marv has been in the hospital for several days. he had stage 4 liver cancer and suffered a stroke. Please keep his wife Elaine in your prayers during this difficult time. Marv had arranged for Andrew Vial to take his place on the Board. As my heart is not in it without Marv, I am handing my position on the Board to Jeremy Lindley. He will be handling the seed distribution. Please be patient as this transition will take time and a learning curve. I am sure that Andrew and Jeremy will do a great job for the club.

3/1/2018 10:57:44 AM

SW Ohio

Im so sorry to read this. A very sad day for the watermelon community. RIP Marvin. I will miss my friend.

3/1/2018 11:39:06 AM

NE Arkansas

I am deeply saddened by the news of Mr Marvins passing. I met Mr Marvin at Hamilton, Ohio last year after many conversations by phone and email and it was even better to talk in person with him. He was full of knowledge and just a nice guy. Hopefully myself and Andrew can continue the great work for the GWG that Mr Marvin and Mr Bill have done. RIP Mr Marvin.

3/1/2018 11:48:37 AM

sevierville, Tn

Very sad news. Marvin was a great person. I will miss talking to him. My condolences to his wife and family

3/1/2018 11:52:22 AM

Salem, Ohio USA

Our prayers are with Marvin's family. Thank you to both Marvin and Bill for their service to the GWG. Alan Gibson

3/1/2018 12:23:26 PM

Wixom MI.

Very sad news for sure !!! I will miss talking with him about his watermelons and 20' foot sunflowers !!! He was one of the nicest guy's you will ever meet RIP MARVIN

3/1/2018 12:25:49 PM

South Arkansas

This is a sad day for giant watermelon growers. My heart goes out to Marvin's family and also to Bill Edwards.

3/1/2018 1:11:57 PM

The North Coast

Yes, a sad day. My thoughts are with his friends and family.

3/1/2018 1:25:48 PM

Grant, AL

Our prayers are with Mrs. Elaine and the family. Marvin Mitchell was the nicest guy I ever had the pleasure of getting to talk to. He always helped growers and you could tell from talking to him that he really cared about the growers and wanted them to be successful. RIP Marvin

3/1/2018 1:34:46 PM

Chapel Hill, NC

Sad news indeed, I sure hoped we wouldn't be getting this news.

3/1/2018 1:48:54 PM

Muddy Waters

Sorry to hear this.I first met Marvin in 1997 he got some seeds & was blowing up 1000 lb pumpkins in 2 years or less.That was big then as the world record was barely that at the time.He couldnt take the disappointment so he switched to melons.We drove to many seminars together in the 90s and early 2000s,Guelph Buffalo Pt.Elgin. This Hobby/Sport has introduced me to many great men.Marvin will always be at the top of that list.Im really glad that he went out with a BANG SuperBangBang.He grew a US record Sunflower & a 259 PB melon in his final season.Till we meet in Paradise & grow some 10,000 lbers RIP my good friend.

3/1/2018 2:13:18 PM

Sad day in the watermelon growing world. Marvin was a good man. Prayer go out to his wife and family.

3/1/2018 2:29:33 PM

East Tennessee

Thoughts and prayers for Mr. Mitchell’s family, sure hated to hear this.

3/1/2018 2:43:40 PM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

Wow that sad news sent chills thru all parts of my body. I chatted with Marv before I started growing he sent seeds, answered all my questions and best of all he gave me encouragement to grow them big. A VIP to all of us.

I wish Marv's family my Condolences, an may he RIP.

3/1/2018 3:05:37 PM

Central NY

Very sad news...our thoughts are with his family and his friends here...so sorry to hear this guys...

3/1/2018 4:11:23 PM

Georgetown, Ontario

Very sad to hear this, he will be greatly missed at Port Elgin weigh off this year. I don't think he ever missed a year as long as it's been going, or at least as long as I've been going.

3/1/2018 4:15:02 PM

Team Canuckle Heads

Rest in peace my good friend Port Elgin weigh off will never be the same

3/1/2018 5:03:26 PM

Mi.

Sorry to hear this going to miss you Marvin

3/1/2018 5:11:32 PM

new hope Ky

Yes and we will all miss him. And I will be growing his 259 melon this year in his honor.

3/1/2018 6:39:32 PM

Partlow,Va

So sorry to hear... Prayers to his family and friends

3/1/2018 6:56:28 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

The watermelon community lost a good man.
And I lost a friend.
Very sad to hear of this and he will be sorely missed.
Prayers to Elaine and their family.

3/1/2018 7:27:20 PM

Bailey N.C.

Sorry to hear of Marvin's passing. Praying for his family.

3/1/2018 7:43:51 PM

Spring Hope, N.C. - USA

condolences to the family. A man like marvin cant be replaced.rip

3/1/2018 8:22:08 PM

Lillington NC

Your comments are very sweet. His wife, myself, my brother and our families all thank you for the kind words and prayers. This was his passion and he loved every minute of it. He has told me all the secrets by the way. 😀so maybe one of these days I’ll grow one! I will be planting some sunflowers in my garden this year. Probably just regular size to start with.

3/1/2018 8:40:16 PM

Lillington NC

Ok those letters were a smiley face. I guess that doesn’t come across. And I don’t see how to edit.

3/1/2018 8:43:50 PM

Bottom of ohio

Thoughts and prayers

3/1/2018 9:18:12 PM

British Columbia, Canada

My condolences.

3/1/2018 9:26:53 PM

Grand Rapids, MI

Marv was perhaps the original Extreme Master Gardner. As Mark eluded to Marv was one of the top pumpkin growers in the world back in the late 90's. We all know what he accomplished in the other categories since.

He was very supportive of the Michigan Giant Pumpkin Growers and often spoke at our seminars; was modest when accepting awards and redirected praise onto others. Marv missed this past year's patch tour because his family was up from down south. He had his priorities straight. How many of us can say that? I will miss him at this years events.

3/1/2018 10:11:33 PM

Garner, NC

It’s a sad day and a huge loss for the growing community. My condolences to Ms Elaine and their kids. It was a honor to work with Marvin and Bill with the GWG over the past years. Marvin touched the lives of so many people over the years, he will be missed by all.

Matthew 5:4
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

3/1/2018 10:40:51 PM

simpson,KS

A sad day when i read my e-mails today. R.I.P. MARV

3/1/2018 10:57:39 PM

Ontario, Canada

A very sad day for many of us. We've lost one nicest guy that I've known & also a legend in our sport. We will miss seeing our good friend Marv in Port Elgin next year. Our thoughts & prayers go out to Elaine & the Mitchell family.

RIP my friend.

3/2/2018 6:46:20 AM

Quebec

This is terribly sad news indeed. A great human being first most, and a dynamic and creative grower who shared everything and gave the absolute best advice to any who asked. Port Elgin has lost a family member, which is something he always stated as how he felt. Rest in peace Marvin.

3/2/2018 8:02:13 AM

Arizona

My thoughts and prayers

3/2/2018 8:51:46 AM

Mn

Sorry to hear this. Marv was a great guy.

3/2/2018 9:13:03 AM

Central Illinois

Sounds like a great guy, sorry for your lose

3/2/2018 9:20:11 AM

Hamilton Nj

Sorry to hear this thoughts and prayers go out to his family I never met Marv but I talked to him alot through email he was always helpful with me and the gwg he will be missed heaven just gained another angel!!!!!

3/2/2018 11:35:21 AM

Omaha, Nebraska

It's sad to hear this. I only had contact with Marvin through email, but even through that I could tell he was a genuinely good person, happy to give encouragement and congratulations.

3/2/2018 12:20:55 PM

Nakina NC

Saddened to hear of this, I never got to meet him personally, but just by the communications I did have with him, it was obvious he was dedicated to the advancement of the Watermelon Club. A founding icon he was and will be missed tremendously, but NEVER FORGOTTEN. Grow a BiG MITCHELL in 2018!

3/2/2018 5:49:48 PM

Bowdon, GA

I joked with him that we had a language to start with LOL. I'm glad I was able to get to know him. He was a good man and I will dearly miss him.

3/3/2018 12:03:56 AM

Italy

Im sorry to read this, he was a good person. RIP Marvin.

3/3/2018 7:33:11 AM

Bowdon, GA

I ment to say language barrier

3/3/2018 9:14:17 PM

Netherlands

Very sorry to hear this. This winter he helped me out a lot with writing the new international giant vegetable rules. He was looking forward to growing a new US sunflower record in 2018.

3/5/2018 5:30:56 AM

Bethlehem CT

Sad news indeed, My condolences to the Mitchell family.

3/5/2018 7:08:57 AM

formerly RGG

I am not on here much these days and just saw the news. Marvin was certainly one of the best and will be sorely missed among his fellow gaint growers. Rest in peace Marvin.

3/15/2018 7:49:16 PM