A. Marvin Strait

Marv’s Story

Marvin Strait was born in Pueblo on December 22, 1933, to Rose and Harry Strait. He grew up with his sister Adelyn, nine years his senior. While in middle school, he met his sweetheart and lifelong partner, Shirley, whom he later married. Marv attended the better high school in Pueblo, while Shirley attended the other high school.

Marv worked hard from a young age; he obtained a paper route at age 13 and worked part-time with his father on the Santa Fe Railroad in high school. Shirley would accompany Marv on his newspaper deliveries by riding on his bicycle handlebars.

Following his college freshman year, Marv and Shirley wed and were happily married 62 years until Shirley passed away in 2017. They raised a beautiful family, cultivated a lifetime of memories, and provided service to countless people in the community.

Marv and Shirley had three children: Debbie (married to Stephen Gonzales), Denise, and Michael (formerly married to Elena Strait) and four grandsons: Nate and Jacob (Debbie), Alex (Denise), and Sam (Michael).

Marv attended Arizona State University and graduated with a B.S. in Accounting. Marv recognized an opportunity when he saw one: he moved to Lamar to establish his first accounting practice. He was the only CPA in five Southeastern Colorado counties. As for cornering the accounting market, Marv would say his clients had two choices — they could use him and like him or use him and not like him. In 1973 Marv, Shirley, and their family moved to Colorado Springs.

Marv is widely respected professionally. He served as a member of the Colorado State Board of Accountancy, Chairman of the Colorado Society of CPAs, and Chairman of the 400,000 member American Institute of CPAs. Marv also generously contributed his time to numerous local charitable and civic organizations.

Marv served as Chairman of both the Colorado and the Colorado Springs Chambers of Commerce and Chairman of the Board of St. Francis Hospital. He also served as a member of the following boards: Colorado Springs Utilities Financial Advisory Board, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center (Treasurer), Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center Foundation, Colorado Springs Symphony (Treasurer), Sam S. Bloom Foundation, Peak Education Foundation, Colorado State Fair Authority Board of Commissioners, and the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce (Treasurer), to name a few.

Among the many awards that Marv received, a few include: AICPA Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Service, Business Citizen of the Year, and Center for Christian-Jewish Dialogue Dove of Peace Award.

Marv worked as a nationally-recognized accounting and valuation expert witness until his death. He was deeply loved as a father, grandfather, patriarch, community leader, and mentor to many. Marv is remembered for his strong nature, witty humor, camaraderie, and wholehearted dedication.