On November 19, 2024, Oliver Marvin Esslinger, Jr. age 92 passed away peacefully at his home. He was born on May 26, 1932, at Huntsville Hospital to Oliver Marvin Esslinger, Sr. and Bessie Catherine Sherrill Esslinger. He was raised on a farm in Gurley, Alabama along with two younger brothers, Ellis Neel Esslinger and Sherrill Haden Esslinger. He attended and graduated from Madison County High School where he played football. He was offered a college football scholarship, and he turned it down to stay home to help on the farm.
He worked for the Department of Defense at Redstone Arsenal as a Logistician and retired after 35 years.
He married Maxine Conway from Woodford County, Kentucky in May 1958. They had two children, Michael Tate and Janet Lynn. In March 1994, he married Brenda Tidmore. He was a longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir. Taking after his mother, he loved to sing and often sang at weddings and funerals.
Although his name was Oliver Marvin, he also was known by Bobby, Sam, Marvin, Dah Dah and Grandsam.
Over the years, he had as many interests as he had names. He loved boating (teaching kids how to waterski without knowing how to ski himself), fishing, bowling, singing, working on cars, watching sports, working crossword puzzles, and traveling to name a few. None compared to spending time with friends and family – especially his beloved grandchildren.
He eagerly looked forward to and made the most of each day. Always holding on to his fork, knowing the best is yet to come.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda Esslinger; his children Mike Esslinger (Kathy), Janet Esslinger Moore (Allen), Vance Varner (Sandy), Greg Tidmore (Sharon), and Melanie Lancaster (Tommy); grandchildren, Holly Moore Miskowiec (Andrew), David Moore (Olivia), Cody Geer, Tanna Varner Ray (Jacob), Adam Varner (Emily), Hayley Bearden (Jake), Clay Tidmore (Caroline), Luke Tidmore (Olivia), Weston Wilborn (Olivia), TJ Lancaster and Ashley Lancaster, great-grandchildren, Peter Miskowiec, Franklin Moore, Lucas and Hayden Ray, Katherine Lirette, Sonny Varner, Henley Ann and Mary Clay Tidmore, Gunner and Owen Wilborn; sisters-in-Law, Loyce Esslinger, Sandra Esslinger, and Linda McClendon (Tommy); many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, O.M. Esslinger, Sr. and Bess Esslinger; wife, Maxine, and brothers, Ellis Neel and Sherrill (Buddy) Esslinger.
Visitation will be Thursday, November 21, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Friday at 2:30 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, followed by burial in Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital (https://www.stjude.org>give).
