Marvin "Marv" Eldon Carter, age 86, an 83-year resident of Colville, WA passed away peacefully on April 25, 2024 with his family by his side, due to a hard-fought battle with Dementia. He was born on May 8, 1937, to Eldon Menzo and Olga Lydia (Dehning) Carter in Lewiston, Idaho.

Marv moved to Colville with his family at the age of three. He graduated in 1955 as a 12-year senior from Colville High School. After high school, Marv served seven years in the Coast Guard Reserves. He left a Legacy of 75 years and three generations in the car business in Colville. In 1943, his father started a new family business "Columbia Garage." A new building was built in 1948 and the business was re-named Eldon Carter Motors where Marv began selling cars to his high school friends. Marv married Joan Enright on June 9, 1957 in Colville, and together they raised their two children, Scott and Shelly. He assumed ownership of the family business following the passing of his father in 1967 and the dealership was re-named Marv Carter Motors. In 1987, the business was renamed Carter Toyota, due to the decision to discontinue other lines of business and focus on Toyotas. He was proud to bring his son into the family business and work alongside him until retirement. In 2001, he and Joan began towing their trailer to Arizona for the winter and eventually built a home there, where they enjoyed many years as snowbirds with a close group of friends.

Words are inadequate to describe how deeply Marv will be missed by all who knew him – his gentle presence, his wisdom and his sense of humor. He was reserved in character and rarely said more than what was necessary to convey the message. Marv was always willing to venture to the mountains with the most recently released snowmobile, motorcycle or ATV he had acquired. He had many salmon and steelhead fishing trips on the Clearwater, Snake and lower Columbia rivers. Marv also shared time with family and friends on hunting and camping trips. He loved his trips to Alaska in the motor home. They purchased the family cabin on Lake Sherry and enjoyed the short drive from town to fish, hunt, motorcycle, snowmobile and on occasion… relax. Marv loved his family. His friendships were deep and lasted a lifetime.

Marv was a respected businessman who gave generously to local schools, charities, and clubs. He was a charter member of the Panorama Rodeo Association and Upper Columbia Boat Club. Marv served on the Colville Fire Department in multiple roles, including Assistant Chief, during his 27 years on the department. He was also very active in the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees), a past President of the Eagles Lodge and held memberships for over 50 years in both the Eagles and Elks Lodges. For the past 25 years, he and several friends warmed the seats in many restaurants as their "coffee clutch," where they formed a tight bond and solved the world's problems.

Marv was preceded in death by his sister, Ronna Kinder; brothers-in-law, Denny and Larry Enright, Fred Pierce, Bill Kinder; and his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Carter, at the home; son, Scott Carter (Lorri) of Colville; daughter, Shelly Carter of Colville; two grandchildren, Kristi Bushnell (Jason) of Spokane; Angie Vaagen (Kurtis) of Colville; great-grandchildren, Carter & Bryce Bushnell & Kylee, Rilynn and Kellen Vaagen; sister, Pat Laird (Ken) of Colville, WA; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

The service for Marvin "Marv" E. Carter will begin at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, at the Ag-Trade Center. He will be laid to rest at the Mountain View Park Cemetery in Colville. Memorial contributions may be given to the Colville Firefighters Association or the charity of one's choice. Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements