Marvin Lee Picard passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 3, 2026 at the age of 94.
He was born in a log cabin in Gibbon on Dec. 6, 1931.
He grew up with three brothers (Sonny, Melvin and Clifford) hunting and fishing in and around the Cayuse area. He joined the Army in 1949 and served for three years, receiving an honorable discharge on Oct. 25, 1952. He was active duty during the Korean War and received a Korean Service Medal with Five Point Bronze Service Stars, United Nations Service Medal. His experience in the Quartermasters Corps would help him in his long career with Boise Cascade, working as a storeroom superintendent and purchasing agent. He worked at the Boise Cascade paper mill in Wallula, Wash. for 33 years, from 1963 until retiring in December 1996.
On May 1, 1952, he married the love of his life and wife of 66 years, Beth L. Wilson. The couple lived several places over the years, including Kennewick, Wash. and San Jose, Calif. before settling in Umatilla, where they would live out the rest of their lives. Marvin and Beth raised four boys, Kris, Robin, Larry and Kevin. The couple enjoyed dancing, cards and going to the casino in their free time. He enjoyed golfing and working on his family history. Marvin was an active member in the Jaycees, as well as a member of the tribal council for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. He traveled to Washington, D.C. multiple times as a representative of the tribe.
He is survived by four sons, Kris Picard (Katherine), Robin Picard, Larry Picard (Diana) and Kevin Picard (Bonnie); as well as nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 1 p.m. at Burns Mortuary Chapel.
