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Jonathan Marshall Obituary
After years of declining health, Marshall's death comes just weeks before the Scottsdale Tribune, the successor to his Scottsdale Progress, is set to close its doors.
Marshall and his wife Maxine sold the Progress to Cowles Media in the late 1980s and the Marshalls went on to do philanthropic work in the arts, education and environment.
With his sharp editorial pen, Marshall argued for restrained growth in Scottsdale and protecting the desert over fast-buck development. His tenure in the news business of close to 25 years tracked a period of prosperity and growth in Scottsdale.
Marshall often battled city hall and his friend the late Mayor Herb Drinkwater on any number of issues large and small. Marshall mattered and left his imprint on his adopted city.
Marshall was a fighter for the First Amendment and open government who supported reporters digging into the underbelly of city government. He also supported the efforts of investigative journalist Don Devereaux in unraveling the conspirarcy of who killed Arizona Republic reporter Don Bolles long after most other journalists had moved. Marshall's modest financial success in the daily news business almost crashed on takeoff.
Early in his years of publishing the afternoon Scottsdale Daily Progress, Marshall chose to endorse Lyndon Johnson in Sen. Barry Goldwater's backyard. The heavily Republican Scottsdale business community went ballistic and an advertising moratorium crippled the Progress.
But the Marshalls held on and Jonathan later ran unsuccessfully against Goldwater for Senate, refusing to give the Republican a free ride even he had no chance.
Marshall's liberal politics that he brought with him from his native New York did not sit well with many in Scottsdale, including former state Rep. Jim Skelly who needled Marshall by calling the Progress the Daily Pravda.
Though his health has been declining, Marshall's opinions in recent years are still robust. He has periodically sent out his Marshall Memo via e-mail, sharing his political perspectives as he did for close to 25 years with Progress readers.
Marshall also had a key role in the careers of dozens and dozens of Arizona journalists, who got their start or moved up the ladder at the Progress.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jonathan Marshall
Kelly Leibold
December 14, 2010
May this belated note be with the upmost respect and honor for Jonathan Marshall and his survivors. I was fortunate enough to become a district manager at The Scottsdale Daily Progress in 1982. Today, I am a Group Circulation Director and once Publisher in the newspaper industry. I owe this carreer to a man and his company who gave me a chance to contribute and be successful. Thanks.
David Stein
January 18, 2009
Laura and Lucinda:
Although I do not recall your father, I do recall being in carpools with you, and the oddity of living practically across the street from each other yet attending different public schools. I am sorry for your loss. May I at least be present in your thoughts, as I offer my condolences from afar.
Edwin Swanson
December 21, 2008
The Marshall Family:
Please accept my condolences.
Your loss is also to the community who benefitted from Jonathan's tireless good works.
The Scottsdale Progress was a model for excellent journalism and a superior asset to the Community.
Edwin K Swanson
Esta Maltz
December 19, 2008
Mrs Marshall,
Although I never knew your husband, my deepest condolenses go out to you and your family. My parents and I moved to South Scottsdale (Dianna Dr/Granite Reef) in Jan 1. 1969 and I remember the Scottsdale Progress like it was yesterday. And my parents and I both loved that paper! My late dad, David M. Maltz, knew your husband and thought that he was a very kind and compassionate man and was pleased to have gotten to know him.
And again, my sympathy to you and your family.
Cathy Corrigan Frank
December 17, 2008
Laura, We went to PCDS together many years ago and I remember your father from the sleepovers you had, even the one that occured when RFK was shot and your poor father was stuck explaining it all to a bunch of little girls. He was a very kind soul. You and your family are in my thoughts.
Selma and Richard Edelstein
December 17, 2008
Maxine...Our condolences to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Bob Snider
December 16, 2008
Dear Maxine, family and friends:
Deeply sorry to hear of Mr. Marshall's passing (sorry--after two decades working for him, it doesn't seem right to call him Jonathan), but I understand his health had been failing for years. I now teach English in the San Diego area and just the other day I told my annual story of my senior year of high school. It ends with my mention of Mr. Marshall's stern warning about not repeating a stunt I pulled in high school with his newspaper. My 23 years as the Scottsdale Progress Sports Editor are ones that will always be vivid and cherished in my memory, and I thank Mr. Marshall for providing his guidance and determination. He was a fighter for what was right as well as a champion for the arts.
paula cano/sugar bowl cano
December 16, 2008
dear maxine,i was so sorry to hear about the death fof your beloved johnathon. our prayers are with you and your family
Kevin Dahl
December 15, 2008
Jonathan Marshall's editorial work inspired and encouraged me, a high school student at Saguaro in the early '70s, to dig deep into conservation work. Almost four decades later, my work continues, as do my fond memories of this great man. My condolences to the family and the many friends who will miss him.
Juannell Anderson
December 15, 2008
Dear Maxine and family, please accept my sincere condolences at the loss of your dear husband and father. I worked at the Scottsdale Daily Progress for many, many years it was the first real job I had, Jonathan and you made me feel like I was family and also made my own family feel the same way. Jonathan instilled a work ethic in me that I still have to this day, work hard, do the very best you can, help others when needed and become part of a team to put out the best newspaper that you can. I have truly missed Jonathan's wit, humor and that little half smile he had.
Pat Lind
December 15, 2008
My deepest condolences to the Marshall family. I have many fond memories of working at the Scottsdale Progress for many years. Not only a place of employment but we were Jonathan and Maxines "family".
Bob and Shoshana Tancer
December 15, 2008
Dear Maxine and children: It was a long time ago when we shared holidays and ballet class pickups, but we have always admired Jonathan for his convictions, his desire to make the community better and his charitable contributions. Our sincere condolences.
Lisa Haskell
December 15, 2008
I grew up with the Scottsdale Progress and my mother worked there for a time . It was a sad day when the Progress was sold. and as someone already mentioned - the end of an era.
Ron Pies
December 14, 2008
My most sincere condolences to the Marshall family. It has been many years since I worked with him as an employee of the City of Scottsdale. I will always remember him as the best journalist that I have ever worked with.
Carole Bartholomeaux
December 14, 2008
Mr. Marshall truly adopted Arizona and left a wonderful legacy, not only to journalism students but to so many charities that he and his family supported. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. My sincere condolences to his family.
Jeanne Rissi
December 14, 2008
My deepest condolences to the Marshall Family. I am proud to have been an employee at the Scottsdale Progress in the late 80's. It was an end of an era when Mr. Marshall sold the newspaper. Please know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many.
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