David Edwin Maranz, 95, of Blacksburg, passed peacefully away Aug. 18, 2025. He lived with a steadfast anticipation of his heavenly home, where he longed to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
David was born April 27, 1930 in White Cloud, Michigan, to Louis and Dorothy Maranz. As a child, he was known for his sense of humor, diligence and pursuance of a quality education, even hitchhiking to high school in another town in order to enroll in a better chemistry program. David was a devoted son to his single mother and worked hard at many jobs from a young age. He loved his friends, fluffy goslings, dog, trumpet-playing, boating, bicycling, and Boy Scouts, where he proudly served as the camp bugler. He relished challenges such as becoming a Silver Palm Eagle Scout and earning all the possible merit badges—an accomplishment which later benefitted his family. He was a fun-loving risk-taker who bought dynamite for clearing tree stumps and narrowly averted disaster while exploring abandoned copper mines with his college buddies.
David graduated from Michigan Technological University in 1952 and later earned degrees in several different fields, including a Ph.D. He served as an Army engineer at White Sands Missile Range during the Korean War from 1953 to 1955, earning the rank of Sergeant. A highlight of his time at White Sands was being Scoutmaster for the base scout troop. This Providential military assignment changed the trajectory of David’s life, as he would often drive across the border to Mexico, expanding his horizons with a new country, new foods, new language and a new culture. In 1961, David and his wife and fellow adventurer, Louise, joined Wycliffe Bible Translators. Together, they faithfully worked in Brazil, Cameroon and Senegal. Later, David continued as a cultural consultant in other countries. He filled numerous roles, including administrator, tribal community developer, anthropologist, researcher and author. He published several books, including African Friends and Money Matters—a popular cross-cultural handbook for foreigners working in Africa.
David was a man of wide-ranging interests, rich experiences and an enterprising spirit. He will be fondly remembered for his love of family and friends, enjoyment of music, generosity, wisdom, humor, creative problem-solving, common-sense leadership, many meaningful conversations, and numerous projects, including photography, gardening, woodworking and writing. He demonstrated his devotion to his family through little surprises, weekly family outings, family vacations, encouraging and helping his children and grandchildren with learning new skills. Above all, he will be remembered as a follower of Jesus, and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
David was preceded in death by his beloved wife Louise, his sister Ruth and others with whom he longed to being reunited. He is survived by his children: daughter Laura (Ted) Dean; son, Steven; daughter, Kathleen (Mark) Navratil; and grandchildren: Mandy, Brianna and Gabriel Dean, and Skyler, Zarya and Kiana Navratil.
David Maranz’s extraordinary life will be celebrated with two services. A graveside service will be held Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, at 12 p.m. at the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery, 5550 Bagging Plant Rd, Dublin, VA. A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Victory Restoration Church, 190 Bishops Gate Rd. Christiansburg.
The Maranz family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford.
