John O. MARSHALL

1966 - 2016

MARSHALL, John O.

Dr. John O. Marshall died tragically on January 26, 2016. He was the Chief of Surgery at the VA Medical Center, Spokane. John was on his way to work after a morning jog in downtown Spokane, with his feet pounding the pavement and his favorite tunes in his ears. And that's about all we know about that. What we do know is that his wife and two children were the center of his life and that he never meant to leave them. He is survived by hundreds of family, friends, fellow service members, colleagues, and patients who will remember his character and miss his companionship. A 4th-generation Marine, John served in 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines out of Ft. Pendleton and performed as a Communications Officer in multiple conflicts including the LA Riots and Somalia. He separated as a Captain and moved back to the East Coast from where he originated to enroll in a post-baccalaureate pre-medical program. There he met his wife Suzan in Organic Chemistry. John and Suzan went on to receive their medical degrees at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and John surprised her with an engagement/wedding while they were on vacation (she said, "yes"). They then survived general surgery residency programs in Harrisburg and York, PA. John deployed after the 5-year program to Asadabad, Afghanistan as a combat surgeon for the 2nd Forward Surgical Team. John and Suzan met up the following year at the 121st Combat Support Hospital, Yongsan, Seoul, S. Korea, where John also commanded the 35th Forward Surgical Team. After 4 years of US Army Service and John at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, the Marshalls returned to the US with their two beautiful children, Liam from S. Korea and Elle from China. They chose the Northwest to raise their family and bought a peaceful horse farm. Sadly, their life with John ended abruptly, but they will live on with his spirit, surrounded by love and support from an entire community.
West Coast Service at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, February 13, 1:00.
East Coast Service at Marine Memorial Chapel, Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA, March 5, Noon.
Donations for both services are gratefully accepted through gofundme.com/buyy7337.