Don Marshall

Don L. Marshall was born on Dec. 22, 1929, in Fresno, Calif. He died on Sept. 17, 2011, in Albany. During his childhood, Don lived in various areas of the country, including different cities in California, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, New York and Utah. He attended Utah State University in Logan, where he was a U.S. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps graduate in engineering in 1952. He served in the Air Force for six years, and became a fighter pilot, manning the country's first fighter jet, the F-86. He served abroad in Okinawa and in Formosa, flying border protection missions in the post-Korean War era. Don was an ROTC instructor in physics at Occidental College, and returned to university studies at California State University, Los Angeles, in pursuit of his master's degree in business administration. He worked for more than a decade in Southern California in the aerospace industry, for Librascope in Burbank and Philco-Ford Aeroneutronics in Costa Mesa. He then worked for the Brunswick Corporation, during which time he filled assignments in various capacities, including president of Circle Seal in Fullerton, Calif. During his adult life, Don lived primarily in La Cañada, Calif.; Marion and Fairfax, Va.; Waterloo, Belgium; Yorba Linda, Calif.; and Corvallis. Don married Barbara Ruth Snyder on Feb. 14, 1952, in Tooele, Utah. They remained happily married for 56 years, until she preceded him in death in December of 2008. They had four children, Marilyn Dawn Pratt of Owasso, Okla., Carol Ann Griffith of Corvallis, Don LeRoy Marshall of La Cañada, and Timon Lee Marshall of Acworth, Ga. Don is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Paul, Steve, Tamara and Mary; all of his grandchildren and grandchildren-in-law, Stephen and Rachel, David and Jade and Ryan Griffith, Dawn and Jeff Hensley, Marcus and Amanda Pratt, and Ann and Adam Lain, Clay and Dianna, Chelsea, and Chantal Marshall and Timon Jr., Katherine and Ryan Tirrell, Hunter, and Bryce Marshall; and great-grandchildren, Sam, Sabine, Ezra and Eli. He is also survived by his sister, Dorothy Harmsen of Balboa Island, Calif.; sister-in-law, Marjorie Delamare of Tooele; and their spouses, children and grandchildren. Throughout his life, Don held many positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was an active volunteer for the American Red Cross, and was a beloved Little League baseball coach. Don was an avid photographer, gardener, golfer and traveler in his retired life. His travels took him to most of the world. In connection with his work assignments, he learned to speak French and some Arabic. His childhood experience in Laredo, Texas, taught him a love for Spanish. His love for family, his closeness and dedication to them, his gregarious and outgoing social nature, along with a keen and vibrant sense of humor, are among the hallmarks of his long and good life. An immediate-family graveside service for Don was held Sept. 22 in Corvallis. He was buried next to his dear "Ruthie." A celebration of his life will take place later this year at a date and place to be decided.

Tributes

Don Marshall

December 22, 1929 - September 17, 2011