Marvin E. Wotring, Sr., 78, of Morgantown, entered the presence of his Lord on Monday, December 3, 2018. Marvin was born March 16, 1940, in Terra Alta, son to Raymond Bliss and Catherine Marie Houser Wotring.
Marvin was a 1965 WVU graduate of the Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences. He retired in 1994, as a district director for the United States Department of Agriculture. He also taught in the public-school system for a short time and was the owner of Mountain Rifle Shop.
Marvin, a talented blacksmith, would also be better known as the man behind the Mountaineer. Marvin has made every Mountaineer rifle by hand since 1976, each one a true work of art inlaid and detailed with WV inspired symbols. He has been preserving the tradition of the mascot for nearly 40 years; nearly half of the 84-year history of the Mountaineer. Marvin was chosen to serve as the 2006 WVU Homecoming parade marshal. Marvin has handcrafted nearly 1000 rifles over the years.
In addition to his commitment to preserving the Mountaineer tradition, Marvin proudly supported the WVU Rifle Team/Club by crafting a rifle each year that is used as part of a fundraiser for the team. Marvin was also a supporter of the Preston County Buckwheat Festival. Each year you could find him below the fire department among the arts and crafts with his rifles, knives and buckskins. In 2018, the Kingwood VFD, honored Marvin for his dedication and service to the community.
He was past President of the local NRA Chapter; member of the Mason Dixon Rifle Club and was a member of the Goshen Baptist Church where he sang in the choir.
Left to cherish his memory are is daughter, Pamela Martsolf and husband Jim, of Washington, Pa.; daughter, Julie Cool and husband Steve, and son, Gene Wotring and wife Debbie, all of Morgantown; 16 grandchildren, Chelsa Flint and husband Austin, Cody Haines, Alisha Haines, Marcus Haines, and Averie Haines, Michael DeVault with Caroline Shultz, Jessica DeVault, Nicholas Mattox, Catherine Cool and Mackenzie Cool, Savannah Wotring, Garrett Wotring and wife Emily, Logan Wotring and wife Emma, Chantelle Wotring, Mirannda Wotring and Rennick Wotring; five great-grandchildren, Reese Flint, Pierce Flint, Emma Goodwin, Lilli-Ann Cool and Jacob Cobun; three sisters, Edwina Graham, Laura Mae Shaffer and husband Gary, Wanda Kochel and husband Rudy and one brother, Charles Wotring and wife Doris.
Family will receive friends at the Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home from 6 -8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7. Marvin will lie in repose at the Morgantown Christian & Missionary Alliance Church, 308 Elmhurst Street, Morgantown, from 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8 until time of services at 6 p.m. with Pastor David Goodin officiating. Private graveside services will be conducted by Pastor Dan Meadows.
Donations may be made in memory of Marvin to the WVU Rifle Club/Team by clicking here or by mail at One Waterfront Place – 7th Floor P.O. Box 1650 – Morgantown, WV 26507-1650. Please mention Rifle Team in the memo line.
Condolences: fredjenkinsfuneralhome.com
