Richard James Marshall passed away unexpectedly 3 August, 2001 while hiking on Shiprock Mountain where he had hiked so many times before.
Richard was born 25 June, 1928 in Salt Lake City, UT to Ruth Cannon and Robert Philip Marshall. He married Evelyn Thompson in the Salt Lake LDS Temple 20 Aug, 1952. He attended East High School, served in the U.S. Army and graduated from the University of Utah where he majored in Fine Arts and participated in student affairs.
His life was one of complete dedication to his family and the Lord. Richard served the LDS Church in the Honolulu, HI Mission. Throughout his life, he loved to share the gospel with everyone he met, whether it was riding up a ski lift or sitting on an airplane. He served as a high councilor and bishop in the University 9th Ward and as a counselor in the University Stake presidency. His family accompanied him when he served as the mission president of the Great Australia West Mission from 1971-1974. He was a Regional Representative from 1974-1980. At one time he claimed to be the oldest Young Men president in the Church. President Gordon B. Hinckley once described Richard as the "Father of Church Visitors Centers" since he helped establish the first visitors center and commissioned paintings at the 1964 New York World's Fair. These and many other works of art may be found today in Church magazines, buildings and temples worldwide. He was presently serving on the General Visitors Centers Committee.
Richard began working at David W. Evans Advertising Agency as an artist and retired 34 years later as Executive Vice President of Evans Communications. He wrote two published books and then worked as Vice President of Maverik Country Stores. He also served on the Board of Directors of the University of Utah Alumni Association, the Better Business Bureau, Utah Opera, the Utah Diabetes Association, and was president-elect of the Timpanogos Club.
His children and grandchildren will forever remember a multitude of stories, bingo parties, grab bags, Fish Lake hikes, the Marshall encampment and many memories of the Upper Weber River where he most loved to be. The entire Marshall family recently celebrated their parents' marriage of 50 years by visiting eastern Church and American history sites. Our father and grandfather is much-loved.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; seven children and their spouses: Stephen (Janette), Matthew (Tamara), David (Georgia), Mary (Tony) Jolley, Sarah (Allen) Naylor, Martha (David) Sloan, Nathan (Christine); 33 grandchildren, sister, Marjorie (Leonard) Cummings; and Uncle Nerd Thompson. He was preceded in death by his infant son, Joseph; mother; and brother, Robert Marshall.
Services will be Wed. 8 August, 2001, 11 a.m. at the Gundersen LDS Ward chapel, 4104 S. 1925 E. Friends and family may gather Tues. 6-8 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 S. Highland Dr, and Wed. 10-10:45 a.m. at the meeting house. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the LDS general missionary fund would be appreciated.
He was as tough as a boot!