Rev. Marvin Kenneth Francine entered his Heavenly home on November 27, 2020 surrounded by his loving family. Marvin is preceded in death by his parents Alice and Axel Francine of Turlock, California, and his first born son, David Stanley Francine of Sacramento, California. He is lovingly remembered by is Wife of 69 ½ years, Lenore Francine, his son Jon (and Nancy) Francine and his daughter MaryBeth (and Larry) Barnes. He was deeply loved and respected and is greatly missed by his eight grandchildren, Lloyd and Tiffany, Ryan and Kristen, Josh and Katelin and Hunter and Mary, and his seven great- grandchildren whom he immediately acquired once he moved to Georgia.
Marvin was raised in Turlock and attended Elementary – High School in Turlock where he was active in all Music and singing programs and was first trumpet in the Turlock High School Marching Band. It was in High School he met the love of his life Lenore Larson. While in high school Marvin and Lenore attended a Billy Graham crusade. Billy Graham asked if anyone was interested in serving the Lord with their lives and Marvin and Lenore stood up and took this commitment very seriously. After graduating from Turlock High School in 1948 he then attended College at BIOLA University – The Bible Institute of Los Angeles and upon graduation Marvin then attended Talbot Theological Seminary in Los Angeles, California. He married his high school sweetheart, Lenore Larson on June 14, 1952. They were married just 6 months shy of their 70th wedding anniversary.
After graduating from seminary Marvin began serving the Lord immediately.
Together Marvin and Lenore served the Lord Jesus Christ with their lives. He began his ministry as a music minister youth pastor at Calvary Church of Placentia, California, then to Roosevelt Community Church in Lancaster, CA as the Senior Pastor, Then to Chico, California at the Evangelical Free Church, then finally onto the Evangelical Free Church in San Jose, California where he was the Senior Pastor 29 years, then became associate pastor of Care and Seniors ministry for approx. 15 years.
Besides loving his church members every bit as much as his own family, he also loved golfing and singing with Jim Blackstone and Mount Hermon Conferences and music nights. He loved to sing and was known for his wonderful sermons ending with a song and not a dry eye in the church. He also was a great Swede and loved his coffee and coffee shops, meeting new friends and talking to everyone around him. He had a smile with a twinkle in his eye that made you know you were loved and special. He often carried Fifty cent pieces in his pocket on Sundays and would find a special child and give it as a gift. He loved watching them light up with a big smile. You can ask anyone, even his children and they will tell you that he walked what he preached 24/7, 365 days a year. He was our rock and our leader and our dear, sweet, and selfless dad.
The family wants to thank all our friends and family for the overwhelming and constant support they have given during this time of heartbreak. However, we also have great joy in knowing without a doubt that dad is with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and he heard as he entered heaven, “Well done my good and faithful servant”, “for to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”. To God be the Glory, Great things he hath done!
We will honor Marvin in a celebration of life service at the Hillside Evangelical Free Church where he and mom served and attended for over 55 years. The service will be Sunday, June 6th at 4pm in the sanctuary and all are invited. A small family committal service will take place in Turlock the next day.
