Marvin J. McKean, “Coach McKean”, of Concord died peacefully at home on October 5 after a courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Sandra Elizabeth McKean; three children, Kevin McKean (wife Kim) of Brentwood, Tim McKean (wife Kathy) of Rumson, NJ, and Kelli McKean Peterman (husband Russ) of Fort Worth, TX; as well as his sister, Elsie Earl of Cameron, MO; and ten grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, all of whom brought him much joy and pride. He was preceded in death by his parents Evelyn and Marshall McKean, and sister Florence.
Marv was born and spent his early childhood on his family’s beloved ranch which would later become the Concord Naval Weapons Station. He graduated from Mt. Diablo High School in 1954, where he excelled in football, basketball, baseball and earned a football scholarship to the University of Oregon. Soon after arriving in Eugene, however, he grew-homesick and wanted to be back with his beloved high school sweetheart, Sandy. He returned to Concord and immediately proposed. They were married the next year at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church in Concord and moved to San Jose where Marv would play quarterback for San Jose State.
Following graduation, he began his 50-year career in teaching physical education and coaching at Los Gatos High School while earning his M. Ed. from SJSU. He moved on to coach football at Pittsburg High School before making the jump to the college ranks, coaching at Chabot College, Diablo Valley College, and Los Medanos College. In addition to football, Coach Marv dedicated the majority of his coaching career as the head tennis coach at LMC and DVC. Marv loved coaching; always patiently finding the inner athlete in his students. As such, he was deeply respected and admired by his colleagues and student athletes. His athletic achievement on the field and coaching success earned him inductions into the Hall of Fame at both Mt. Diablo High School and Diablo Valley College.
He loved playing golf and attending sporting events, especially when his children and grandchildren were playing, and was longtime season ticket holder for CAL football and St. Mary’s basketball.
A comedian at heart, he had an abundance of friends. He loved dinner parties, coffee with his buddies, August vacations in Lake Tahoe, and romantic weekends with Sandy in Carmel. He was a member at Contra Costa Country Club for over 40 years where his family built lasting memories.
Marv was gracious and kind; a man of deep integrity. He was a doting husband, devoted father, and proud grandfather who leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter. A man with no enemies, all who knew him loved and respected him for who he was and for the way he lived his life. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
A memorial service celebrating Marv’s life will be held on October 26, 2018 at 11:00 am at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church in Concord. In lieu of flowers, in honor of Marv’s deep love for the city in which he was born, lived and died, the family requests memorial gifts be made to the Concord Historical Society (P.O. Box 404, Concord, CA 94522).
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