James Jim Marvel

July 31, 1924 - September 11, 2016

James S. Marvel, 92, Little Creek, passed away Sunday September 11, 2016 at his home with family. He was born on July 31, 1924 in Philadelphia, PA to the late Benjamin and Catherine Spear Marvel. Jim grew up in Little Creek. He finished the six grade at Little Creek school quit school to work his family farm, trapped muskrats and worked in the coal yard. In 1942 Jim joined the Navy and became part of the Scouts the Navy special operation forces. He was involved in intelligence gathering. On D-Day he was Capt. of a four man rocket boat the helped clear the way for landing allied troops. After Normandy Jim was sent to China on the Yangtze River behind Japanese lines giving information for the Army Air Force Flying Tigers. After the Japanese surrender he was in Shanghai working the enlisted men's club and met his wife Nadia a Russian orphan in Shanghai. Coming home to Little Creek after the war Jim was "glad to see my old town". His father Benjamin was a charter member of Little Creek Vol. Fire Dept. founded in 1943. Jim was discharged form the Navy in 1948 and became a member of the fire dept. in 1949. At age 80 he responded to more alarms than any of the other members with many "top responder" plaques hanging on his wall. Like his father before him Jim worked as a civilian employee at DAFB for 30 years. Jim enjoyed his gardens of tomatoes and corn from which he and Nadia preserve food for winter. He kept rabbit dogs for winter hunts and he did deer hunting on his property. Summer was fishing where ever the fish are biting. Jim loved the Fire Dept. and helping people in his community. He will be missed. He is survived by his Wife of 67 years, Nadejda Marvel of Little Creek, DE. Son, John Marvel of Philadelphia, PA. Brothers, Raymond Marvel of Little Creek, DE, Harry Marvel, Sr. of Little Creek, DE. beloved Nephews, Bucky and Tweety Hurley of Little Creek, DE. and many more nephews and nieces. Services will be held Friday 09/16/2016 12 noon at Trader Funeral Home in Dover, DE Family and friends may call at 11 AM. Burial with Firemans Honors will be at the Sharon Hill Memorial Park Dover.