Charles William "Charlie" MARSHALL

MARSHALL, Charles William "Charlie"

90, a resident of Aransas Pass, Texas since 1949, went to his Lord and Savior, Friday, January 10, 2014. He was born July 7, 1923 in Skidmore, Texas to William Henry and Rosa Newberry Marshall. The son of a Methodist minister, he graduated high school in Raymondville, Texas in 1940. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served on a troop carrier in the South Pacific during WW II. He graduated from Landig College of Mortuary Sciences in 1947 as Valedictorian. He came to Aransas Pass as a young mortician in 1949 and immediately fell in love with the community and the people. He spent the next 64 years dedicated to the betterment of not only the city but also to the people who live here. A strong, talented, compassionate, giving and generous person, it would be very difficult to find someone whose life he has not touched in some way.

Charlie was the owner and operator of Charlie Marshall Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. in Aransas Pass and Rockport. He was a developer of land subdivisions in 9 Texas counties. He served as Trustee for the Aransas Pass Independent School District for 54 years, making him the longest standing member of a school board in the United States. Under his leadership the APISD became one of the first schools in the state of Texas to become integrated. He was the past president of the Texas State Board of Morticians, having been appointed and served under four governors. He received a 50-year recognition from the Texas Funeral Directors Association in 1999. He was founding member of the Aransas Pass Associated Charities, now known as Tri-County Christian Services and served as President for over 30 years. He served on the Board of Directors for the Trustee Overbid Property Trust, which built and maintains the Aransas Pass Public Library. He was a founding member and served on the Board of Directors for the Aransas Pass Seamen's Memorial Tower Committee. He was past president of the Aransas Pass Chamber of Commerce and received the Aransas Pass Citizen of the Year award in 1972. He received the Murl Smith Award in 1981. He was a former member of the San Patricio County Public Affairs Committee. He was a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Live Oak Country Club, was a member of the Aransas Pass Masonic Lodge #1018 since 1949, and served on the original Aransas Pass Charter Committee. He was a founding member of the Aransas County EMS Services and received an award for 30 years of service. He served on the First United Methodist Church Building Committee in 1959. He was past president of the 20-30 Club of Aransas Pass and serviced on the Board of Directors for Aim Hospice and Tri-County Emergency Medical Services. In 1997, Charlie Marshall Elementary School was built and named in his honor. He received many letters of recognition and appreciation from national and state dignitaries and associations including President George H.W. Bush, President George W. Bush, U.S Senator Phil Gramm, U.S. Congressman Ruben Hinojosa and U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson. July 7, 2013 was proclaimed "Charlie Marshall Day" in both Aransas and San Patricio County.

Charlie had three children: He is survived by his daughter, Marty Sue Marshall, and her children Bridget and Jordan. He is survived by his son, Bill Marshall and his children, Charlie and Kandice. He is preceded by his son J.T. Marshall and survived by his children, Machell, Mandy, Jessica, Morgan and John.

He is survived by his stepdaughter, Rhonda (Ken) Edwards and their children Danny and Taylor, and by his stepson, Frank (Karen) and their children, Aaron and Betsy.

He is survived by the mother of his children, Violet Marshall Duncan. He is survived by his sister, Alta Mae Eardley and numerous great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded by his parents, Rev. W.H. and Rosa Marshall, his wife Gayle Marshall, his sister, Jeanie Shoup and his brother Cornelius H. Marshall.

Charlie will lie in state for friends and visitors on Thursday, January 16 from 10am-5pm and Friday, January 17 from 8am-9pm at the Charlie Marshall Funeral Home in Aransas Pass. Funeral services will be conducted at First Baptist Church in Rockport, Texas on Saturday, January 18 at 11:00 am. Full military honors will follow. Interment will be private. In lie of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made by donations to a charity of your choice.