If you’ve spent any time around Ulysses, chances are you’ve seen Marvin and Pam Meile together. More often than not, where one is, the other isn’t far behind.
When asked how they met, Marvin quickly deferred to Pam, who smiled and began the story. As a high school student, Pam worked at Jeanie’s Café, in the coffee shop next door to Kep’s Clothing Store, and continued working there after school. Marvin would stop in with the guys from Webber’s Supply for coffee, and before long, the two became acquainted. One Thanksgiving, Martha Baker suggested Pam take Marvin a plate of food. Marvin has kept the fork from that meal in his toolbox ever since. From there, dates followed, and Pam often accompanied Marvin to drag races — one of his passions at the time.
Marvin, a native of South Dakota, had been brought to Ulysses in 1965 by H.G. Webber. That December, he received his draft notice. Though he initially believed he wouldn’t be sent to Vietnam, Marvin spent 1967 and 1968 overseas before returning to the United States. He worked in New Mexico on an RCA radar project and later explored employment with Texas Instruments. When he didn’t pass their test, Marvin decided to return to Ulysses and Webber’s Supply — a decision that forever shaped his and Pam’s future together.
The couple was married April 4, 1970, at the Methodist Church in Ulysses. Their honeymoon took them to Colorado, with their first night spent in Lamar. They drove across the Royal Gorge, visited Colorado Springs — where Pam saw a cousin and Marvin went fishing — and then returned home to work. “And we’ve been working ever since,” Pam laughed.
Soon after, they welcomed their son David, followed by starting Marvin’s Farm Supply together in 1974 or 1975. Their family continued to grow with the birth of Chris in 1977 and Nate in 1978, just 23 months apart. Marvin fondly recalled that from the time David could walk, they went everywhere together.
David later married Shan Britton, bringing granddaughters Reile and Britton into Pam and Marvin’s lives. Though the family endured the heartbreak of losing David in 2021, Pam and Marvin’s strong partnership helped carry them through. They proudly shared that Reile will marry Zane May in May and has been thriving through her involvement with the Ulysses FFA chapter.
Son Nate married Megan Teeter, now living in Wamego, and together they added granddaughters Amori, Addy, and Arubrenn, and grandson Asher. Asher was diagnosed with cancer at a young age, but after a courageous fight, he is now a survivor and only requires annual checkups — something the family is deeply thankful for.
The Meile family treasures time together, often enjoying the outdoors through Marvin’s love of hunting and fishing. When they get away, they may be found at Canton Lake near Tulsa, Milford Lake, or tailgating at football games with their RV.
When asked what has made their relationship so strong, both answered without hesitation: friendship. Marvin added that in 56 years together, they have never had a fight. Pam shared she’s a note writer
— a claim confirmed by son Chris, who said handwritten notes expressing love are often found around the house. The couple also delights in gifting one another heart-shaped rocks and small tokens of affection.
“Families need a little church and togetherness,” Pam said. Marvin added, “You don’t have to go to church to believe — but being there gives a sense of unity and family.”
When offering advice to younger couples, Pam and Marvin emphasized spending time together whenever possible — even something as simple as watching a movie at home. Marvin summed it up in his own words: “Put your left foot in front of the other, don’t look sideways, and always stay on track in all parts of life.”
Their son Chris reflected that his parents have always worked hard and continue to do so, making it look effortless. “This world would be a great place,” he said, “if more people had parents like them — always supportive and always present.”
In a world that often moves too fast, Marvin and Pam Meile’s story is a reminder that lasting love is built day by day, through friendship, faith, handwritten notes, and never letting go of one another.
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