Marvin
Marvin Reed Gillis
Phoenix, AZ. Marvin Reed Gillis, 74, passed away on July 26, 2023 after a four-year battle with lung cancer. He was born in Ithaca, New York on January 17, 1949 to Dr. Marvin B. Gillis and Helen Reed Gillis, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Georganne, their children Elizabeth Hunninghake (Danny) and John Gillis (Kathrine), his two grandchildren, George Reed Gillis and Lily Ann Hunninghake, his brother Kenneth Gillis (Ann), his sister Margaret Moss (Tom), and numerous nieces and nephews.
He grew up in Glenview, Illinois and graduated from Glenbrook South High School. He came to Arizona in 1967 to attend Arizona State University, and received a B.S. in Business from Arizona State University in 1971. Marv was a passionate Sun Devil fan and football season ticket holder throughout his life. Marv’s early career was spent as an Account Manager with the Kimberley Clark Corporation, and he ended his career as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative for Astra Zeneca and Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Upon his retirement, Marv was a volunteer for Phoenix Children’s Hospital until his diagnosis.
Marv will be remembered for his enduring love for his family, his compassion for others, his sense of humor, his abiding faith, and his kind and gentle spirit. He fought his illness with grace and courage. Marv will be missed not only by his family, but by all the friends who sustained him on his journey.
A special thank you to Dr. Todd Erikson and the staff of MD Anderson, Dr. Gobi Cherukuri and the staff of Biltmore Cardiology, the Palliative Care Team at Banner University Hospital, and Hospice of the Valley.
A celebration of life will be held at Brophy Chapel on Saturday, August 19th at 10:30 am, with a reception to follow at Arizona Country Club. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Marv’s name can be made to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, 1919 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix AZ 85016 (Make a Donation | Phoenix Children’s Hospital (
phoenixchildrens.org
); The Challenge Foundation, 6300 North Central, Phoenix AZ 85012 (Donate – Phoenix – The Challenge Foundation) or to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St, Phoenix AZ 85014 (Donate (
hov.org
)). Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com.
He grew up in Glenview, Illinois and graduated from Glenbrook South High School. He came to Arizona in 1967 to attend Arizona State University, and received a B.S. in Business from Arizona State University in 1971. Marv was a passionate Sun Devil fan and football season ticket holder throughout his life. Marv’s early career was spent as an Account Manager with the Kimberley Clark Corporation, and he ended his career as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative for Astra Zeneca and Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Upon his retirement, Marv was a volunteer for Phoenix Children’s Hospital until his diagnosis.
Marv will be remembered for his enduring love for his family, his compassion for others, his sense of humor, his abiding faith, and his kind and gentle spirit. He fought his illness with grace and courage. Marv will be missed not only by his family, but by all the friends who sustained him on his journey.
A special thank you to Dr. Todd Erikson and the staff of MD Anderson, Dr. Gobi Cherukuri and the staff of Biltmore Cardiology, the Palliative Care Team at Banner University Hospital, and Hospice of the Valley.
A celebration of life will be held at Brophy Chapel on Saturday, August 19th at 10:30 am, with a reception to follow at Arizona Country Club. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Marv’s name can be made to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, 1919 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix AZ 85016 (Make a Donation | Phoenix Children’s Hospital (
phoenixchildrens.org
); The Challenge Foundation, 6300 North Central, Phoenix AZ 85012 (Donate – Phoenix – The Challenge Foundation) or to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St, Phoenix AZ 85014 (Donate (
hov.org
)). Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marvin Reed Gillis, please visit our flower store.
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