Marvin Stapper

Marvin was born in San Antonio, Texas on January 3, 1941, and passed away on August 29, 2025 at the age of 84.5 years old. He lived in San Antonio until he graduated from Highlands High School in 1959. He then graduated from Texas A & M in 1963 with a major in math. After graduation, he married Merry Martin and they had two boys, Erik Max Stapper, born September 20, 1967, and Brock Martin Stapper, born June 10, 1971. Marvin is survived by me, his wife, Donna, for almost 35 years, his sons, Erik and Broc; grandson, Colton Stappe; granddaughter, Lyllian Stapper; and Stepsons; George Fraser, John Fraser, and Robert Fraser and his wife, Amy; his stepdaughter: Marianne Fraser and numerous step grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is also survived by his niece, Shara Shafer Niesner and her husband, John; Nephews; Trey Gatti, and his wife, Taylor, and Spencer Shafe; and numerous great nieces and nephews. Also, Brenda’s husband, Terry Rutt, was an important part of Marvin’s life. The following is from his 3 siblings: Marvin was the oldest of four siblings. He is survived by his younger brother, Dr. Frank Ernest Stapper and his wife, Doris; and two sisters, Nancy Stapper Gatti and Susan Stapper Shafer (the two sisters I always wanted and finally got); who all remained very close throughout his life, and always looked after one another. He was the best older brother ever! He was preceded in death by his father, Max Ernest Stapper; mother, Ruth Marie Bush Stapper; step daughter, Brenda Fraser Rutt, and Step daughter, Mary Amico Fraser; and brother-in-law, Cliff Shafer. I met Marvin in January 1987, and we were married on December 26, 1990. We were both in real estate. I had been a residential broker for about 14 years when I met Marvin, and he had been a commercial real estate broker since about 1985, so we both understood the challenges of living on a commission. The real estate industry was not a good place to be in 1987. Although the interest rates had come down from almost 19% to between 9.5% and 10.5%, the market was still hurting and about the only thing selling was lender foreclosures. Both Residential and Commercial real estate both hit hard by Interest Rates, etc. Eventually, I started working with Marvin in commercial real estate, but I never actually talked to buyers and sellers. That was Marvin’s job. I just did the computer work and research, but together, we were a good team. He was horrible on the computer! I think springs actually jumped out of it when he walked too close! But, he could read a multi-paged financial report in no time, go right to the important facts he needed and determine about what a commercial building, retail center, land, etc. would probably sell for. He was great on the phone with both buyers and sellers, very personable and extremely knowledgeable. He was not only very personable and easy to talk to, he was also extremely honest and fair with everyone, and unbelievably knowledgeable. His belief was, any time he discovered bad news about a property, tell your clients immediately before they spend time and money on due diligence, etc., just to have it fall out at closing, or worse. He was always upfront and honest with his clients and others he met along the way. He loved life. He was Passionate about the people and things he loved and cared about, like Fantasy Football, NFL season, the Craps table at the Venetian in Las Vegas, his family and me. He was a wonderful storyteller. He laughed at himself, and others laughed with him! His stories will outlive him and will be told over and over, and people will laugh and enjoy Marvin for many years. Marvin was a true gentleman, and one of the nicest and kindest men I have ever met. He was my foundation and I will love him forever and ever. A memorial service for Marvin will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 3, 2025 at Joseph Earthman Generations, 234 Westcott Street in Houston, Texas.