Marvin Lee Droege

Marvin Lee Droege, age 85, passed away November 3, 2024. 

He was born January 4, 1939, in the rural area of Afton, Oklahoma, to George Henry and Sophie Bertha (Eckhoff) Droege. A year or so later, the family moved to Missouri. Marvin graduated from Knob Noster High School in 1957. He played basketball and baseball while in high school and remained a big sports fan his entire life. On May 27, 1961 Marvin was married in Warrensburg, MO, to Dixie Kay Clear. 

Marvin proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1962 until 1964, with the Big Red “1” Signal Corp at Fort Riley, KS. During the Cuban crisis, he and his unit worked out of Homestead Air Force Base in South Florida. After his time in the service, Marvin worked at Donco, Inc. in Blue Springs. Then in 1974, he joined with his friend, Ed Hammond, to start K.C. Bobcat. He retired and sold the Bobcat business in 2000. 

Shortly after retirement, the Droege’s started going to Mesa, AZ for their winters. It was there that Marvin started playing senior softball. In 2007, Marvin’s Kansas City team (the Midwest Silverjox) won the national championship in Dalton, GA. Marvin was elected to the all-tournament team at that time. He continued to play until he was 80 years old. 

Marvin is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dixie Kay Droege. Other survivors include a son, Danny Lee Droege and his wife, Flecia Droege of Longview, TX, a grandson, Dr. Dylan Casey Droege and his wife, Dr. Shelby Droege, of Columbia, SC, a brother Marion Curtis Droege of Warrensburg, MO, and a sister, Darlene Lillian Thompson and her husband Gordon Thompson of Columbia, MO, and several nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Delbert Wayne Droege and Dennis Ray Droege. 

Services will be held at Speaks Chapel. Marvin had been one of the earliest members at Timothy Lutheran Church since their very early days of 1964. In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to Timothy Lutheran Church (301 E Wyatt Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64014).