Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Gilbert S. Marshall Obituary

Gilbert Stivers Marshall, 82, of Dayton, Texas, known as Gil and better known by his close friends and family as “Fishy”, because of his love of the water and fishing, passed away silently and painlessly September 24, 2010 after a lengthy illness, surrounded by his wife and loving family.

Gilbert was born 24 August 1928 in Irvine, Kentucky at home to Thomas and Nell Marshall.  Gil from early childhood dreamed of travel and lived the life of a pathfinder throughout much of his life.  Serving honorably in the US Navy as a Machinist Mate and during and following WWII he traveled across North Africa, the Middle East and Europe and was a walking encyclopedia of information on geography and many other subjects.

Always the pioneer visionary, he shunned commercialized amusement and instead took his family on adventures like panning for gold in the Rockies, hiking the trails of the American ranges and forests, hunting and fishing the choicest of lakes, ponds, and streams, searching rock quarries for fossils, roaming Americas deserts for exotic wildlife, and venturing from the Pacific Ocean to the Great Salt lake, the Texas Gulf coast and the waters of the Great lakes.

Gilbert spent much of his life as an expert Tool and Die maker in machine shops across the country.  He was heavily involved in the development of the Lockheed C5A project in Marietta, Georgia and the F4E project at McDonnell-Douglass in St. Louis, Mo. and in later years a “Gold Hat” for Brown & Root in the Middle East as a Pipe Superintendent.

Gilbert is preceded in death by his parents and grandson Sgt. Nick Marshall.  He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marian, his daughter, Connie Byrd (Michael), sons, Bert Marshall (Sandra), Gordon Marshall (Cindy), Terry Marshall (Debbie) and Bruce Marshall (Linda), his brother Harry Marshall (Mary) and sister Jean Koglman (Johnny), along with many loving grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Never the one to be selfish with his life, Gilbert asked to have his body donated to science and then cremated.  A memorial service will be held at Christmas for friends and family.  The family would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of support and love in this difficult time and celebration of his life.  Bubba, you did good.

For those desiring, memorial donations may be made to Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA).

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Crying
BAM

Anonymous said...

Bert, they are hard to write, but only someone who really knew and loved someone could write a life story like this. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
RHR

Anonymous said...

This year has not been an easy one, but as ever, you are my hero. y'all are in my thoughts and prayers. i love you pops! BC

Anonymous said...

Been prayin' for you and your family, Bert. DSM

Anonymous said...

Bert, We are very sorry for your loss!! You are in our thoughts. Take care. 61 years is amazing. God Bless you and your family! J-DHS

Anonymous said...

I am proud to say that Gilbert Marshall was my Great Uncle. Major Dennis Marshall

Anonymous said...

Bert, Gilbert must have been a great person -- the evidence is in his legacy and you. SC

Anonymous said...

Praying for you and your family
7 hours ago. NCH

Anonymous said...

Isaiah 25:8
He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD ha...th spoken it.
Revelation 21:3-5 (King James Version)
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. RTB

Anonymous said...

Praying for the Marshall and extended Family. ♥ MSM

Anonymous said...

Thoughts and prayers my friends... WH

Anonymous said...

He wrote an excellent story, and you captured it well, BB. SP

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a great dad he was to take his children exploring like that. It must have been wonderful. He is gone in body, but not in mind, spirit and our hearts. My thoughts and prayers go out to all to you JHT

Anonymous said...

Yes indeed, that " dash ", between Dad Marshall's birth date and date of his departure from this life : August 24, 1928 " - " September 24, 2010, tells quite an impressive story !!! Rest In Peace, Dad " Gil " Marshall !!! RB

Anonymous said...

Bert, I love this photo of your dad-what a tribute, what a life well-lived. Praying for you all, but especially for your mom. God's comfort to you all. SDW

Anonymous said...

Beautifully written. I love you all Bert!! My prayers are always with ya'll!!

Anonymous said...

What to say but we love our parents, aunts and uncles. It has been a rough year in many aspects caring for our parents but we know Aunt Jean and Uncle Johnny express their deepest sympathies along with all their kids. We love and miss all of our Texas family. Love, to you all, Heidi and Garry

Natalie said...

Just dropped by to see what was going on in your world and ran across this... My deepest sympathy to you and yours.

whyrocha said...

Remarkable man, remarkable wife, how can they help but have remarkable children. Love dearly all of the Marshalls, very sorry for your loss, I know Mr. Marshall is sorely missed. He did Good!

Anonymous said...

Bert, what a wonderful tribute you wrote to your Dad. I have always admired the Marshall clan and your Dad must have had a lot to do with the way ya'll love each and stick together in good times and in bad. I was not around your Dad much but when I was, he was always fun to be with and as you said a walking encyclopedia of information on many topics. You and yours are in our prayers. We have so many great memories of times with the Marshall family and your Dad is a big part of that. Love, Jim and Terri

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