Obituary of John Marshall

MARSHALL: John Richard (Jack) "JR" Marshall passed away in the Riverside Health Complex, Turtleford, Saskatchewan on Friday, June 13, 2008 at the age of 53 years. Jack is survived by: one brother Brian Marshall; three sisters: Carole and her husband Wayne Mork, Arlene and her husband John Hicks, Barb and her husband Charlie Range as well as numerous other relatives and friends. A celebration of life for Jack was conducted from the Good Shepherd United Anglican Church, Turtleford, Saskatchewan on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Canon Don Skinner officiating. A eulogy was given by Delon and Marilyn Bleakney. The hymns sung were "Rock of Ages," and "Amazing Grace," accompanied on the organ by Catherine Skinner. Honorary pallbearers were all those whose lives were touched by Jack. Interment followed in the Turtleford Cemetery.McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster and Turtleford administered the funeral arrangements. EULOGY FOR JACK MARSHALL Jack was born April 22, 1955, youngest of 5 children born to Jack and Vivian Marshall. The Marshall, Maess and Hanson kids all grew up together within a mile of each other, we rode the same school bus and all attended Sunday School at Turtle Grove. Elsie and Leonard Hanson have always been a part of Jack's life—Jack was always concerned about how they were doing and they kept a watchful eye on Jack. Kind of like a second set of parents! He especially liked Elsie's raisin tarts! My first recollection of Jack was when he started school. He and Grant Lawrence were the best of friends. I still have a picture in my mind of tall, husky Jack with his arm around short, skinny Grant. Jack grew up on the farm east of Turtleford, doing the regular farm kid things. He was their hired man, Archie Young's, little helper—milking cows, slopping the hogs, and feeding the animals and not to forget: being on Archie's ball team. Jack stayed farming until 1980. During this time, he did some custom grain drying as well. After that, he moved into Turtleford and worked at various jobs. He helped his Dad promote Marshall Marking Systems at trade fairs and fixed markers that came in for repair. He spent a year or so in B.C. where he took electrical training. When he returned to Turtleford he got his 1A licence and did some truck driving here and in Alberta. During this time he got his pilot's licence as well. Over the years, Jack had made a lot of good friends. He was always willing to help someone out—whether it be wiring a building, fixing something mechanical, or feeding the neighbour's pets. And Jack was always grateful for anything that was done for him. Jack had a quick wit and a good sense of humour. One time when the girls were reminiscing with him, Barb said "Do you remember the time when the dog had her puppies under Archie's bunkhouse? Barb apparently wanted to see these newborns and so she lit a newspaper on fire to use as a flashlight and she and Jack crawled under the bunkhouse to see the puppies. However, they got caught and Barb was sent to bed without any supper. Jack got a little smile on his face and reminded her that he had made "a clean get away" and he had his supper! An example of his quick comebacks was when staying with Barb and Linda in Edmonton they had left him in charge of putting the chili on to simmer about 2'o'clock. They came home about 4 to find the chili merrily boiling away. When they asked Jack about it, he confessed that he had forgot, so he had put it on "fast simmer". About 6 or 7 years ago Jack moved back to the farm. To begin with he stayed in the house, so there would be someone around to keep an eye on the place. Later the house was rented and Jack took up residence in Archie's old bunkhouse. He fixed it all up with water, sewer, and all conveniences to make it "home". You could tell that the farm was really home to him, as he did a good job of fixing up things around the yard, and always planted potatoes and helped his mom with a small garden. Jack liked all things mechanical and electronic. He was always thinking about how he could improve upon machines—like making a remote control to operate John Hick's transfer auger, so he didn't have to keep getting in and out of the tractor. When he finally got a computer, he studied up on it and knew more about computers in 2 weeks than I'll ever hope to know. Jack battled alcoholism most of his adult life. It caused the usual problems in family and work life. Alcoholism is a disease that is cunning, baffling and powerful, and it kills many people directly or indirectly. Many members of AA, including myself, tried to carry the message of recovery to Jack and although Jack had some sober time in A.A., he was unable to maintain sobriety. Jack read the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous and gave a copy to his sister Arlene with this paragraph highlighted "And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation—some fact of my life—unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing happens in God's world by mistake. Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; unless I accept life completely on life's terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and my attitudes." I believe he saw sobriety as his solution , but like many others, had been unable to put it all together. Jack was very soft-hearted and losing his Mom was very hard for him. Vivian was his anchor in life, and without her he just seemed lost. We will remember Jack as a very intelligent, thoughtful human being with a sense of humor, a sense of fairness, and a willingness to help his family and friends, where and when he could. Jack, your struggle is over. May you rest in peace. Card of Thanks The family would like to thank the staff and everyone who cared for Jack at Battlefords Union Hospital and at Riverside Health Complex; McCaw Funeral Service Ltd. for your compassionate care; Reverend Canon Don Skinner for officiating at the service and for your message; Catherine Skinner for your musical contribution; the church ladies for lunch; Marilyn & Delon Bleakney for the eulogy and for always being there for Jack; to everyone who sent flowers, brought food, for your phone calls, cards, visits and donations. Donations may be made to the Slim Thorpe Recovery Center or to a Charity of the Donor's Choice.