Joseph Marvin Higbee

J. MARVIN HIGBEE OBITUARY
December 21, 1932 to August 18, 2022

On August 18, 2022. Joseph Marvin Higbee took his final earthly breath at approximately 10:30 pm. Shortly after, his 8 children gathered to grieve and comfort their mother, Ethelynn Goodrich Higbee.

J. Marvin and Ethelynn Higbee family survivors include: Tericia Higbee Leavitt (Corey Leavitt), Marvin Higbee Jr., Leisa Higbee, Jolie Higbee Hill (Greg Hill), Michael Higbee (Amy Pinkerton), Karen Higbee Webb (Mike Webb), Richard Higbee (Traci Hansen), Christopher Higbee (Katie Farnsworth).

J. Marvin Higbee’s surviving siblings include Veda Higbee Morrison, Vernon Higbee, Nadyne Higbee Kenna, Wendy Lish Salvesen, and Collette Higbee Montage. J. Marvin was preceded in death by his parents Joseph Alvin Higbee and Viola Mae Kendrick, and by siblings Robert Higbee, Evelynn Higbee Muser, and Lamar Higbee.

Service was paramount in J. Marvin Higbee’s life and in many ways defined him. Church service was particularly important to J. Marvin and he served where he was called in a variety of capacities.

J. Marvin loved his country. At the age of 18 he joined the Navy and served for five years. He was active during the Korean War. His highest rank awarded was Petty Officer 2nd Class.

J. Marvin later worked for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as an instructor and administrator in the Church Education System. He also worked hard to establish and implement the Latter Day Saint Student Association (LDSSA). This process required extensive travel and sometimes he was gone for several weeks at a time.

J. Marvin worked closely with the Boy Scouts of America and was awarded the prestigious Silver Beaver for leadership excellence. He also served for years as Board President of American Indian Services (AIS). J. Marvin also worked extensively with the Red Cross.

Armed with bachelor and master’s degrees from Brigham Young University (BYU), and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Southern California (USC), J. Marvin entered the public education arena. He was hired as the Assistant to the Vice President of Academic Affairs to help staff the newly established branch of the University of Texas at Permian Basin (UTPB) in Odessa, Texas. He was subsequently hired as President of Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, followed by his appointment as President of what became Utah Valley University (now the largest university in the State), in Orem, Utah. To enhance the student experience, he attended classes, student meetings, and athletic events and observed students wherever they gathered. His contributions in education were great. He was loved and admired by thousands of people including staff, faculty, and students. He even had the privilege of awarding diplomas to many of his own family members.

After retiring from education, J. Marvin established an endowed scholarship at UVU. He believed that by supporting the students of an educational institution one also builds a stronger and better community. Rather than sending flowers, we ask that you consider donating to this scholarship by copying and pasting the following URL in your browser, or clicking the link below this obituary: https://www.uvu.edu/give/engagementcenter.html

In the private sector, J. Marvin continued to promote technology in higher education both as a business executive and as a consultant. His contributions had a tremendous impact on education throughout the country.

Following full retirement, J. Marvin and Ethelynn served two full-time LDS missions. The first was to the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. The second was to Kirtland, Ohio. Their missions were crowning moments in their lives.

J. Marvin and Ethelynn were patrons of the arts and instilled the love of music in the souls of their children and grandchildren. Much of the memorial program will showcase the role of music in the Higbee family. Inspired by his profound love of music, J. Marvin often quoted this poem by Letitia Elizabeth Landon:

“Music moves us, and we know not why;
We feel the tears, but cannot trace their source.
Is it the language of some other state, born of its memory?
For what can wake the soul’s strong instinct of another world, like music?”

Services honoring J. Marvin are slated for Friday August 26, 2022, at the Nelson Family Mortuary located at 4780 North University Avenue in Provo, Utah. A viewing will be held at 11:00 am that morning with memorial services following that afternoon at 1:00 pm. We invite you to join us either in person or online (by clicking on the link provided). Help us celebrate the many ways J. Marvin Higbee blessed the lives of those he touched.