Larry Marshall

1948 - 2024

Larry Marshall

November 6, 1948 - March 25, 2024

Lexington, Kentucky - George Lawrence Marshall, known to friends as Larry, started life in Columbia, Kentucky. His mother often reminded him that he was just a few days older than Prince (now King) Charles. His parents were James Clyde and Sara Jean Lawrence Marshall. He grew up with an older brother, Jimmy.

Larry graduated from Adair County High School, and received a degree in biology from Centre College. Larry liked to say that he did what any biology major would do-he went into the shoe business. Actually, he took over his dad's shoe store when his dad died suddenly at age 48. Throughout his life, Larry owned shoe stores in Columbia, Campbellsville, and Elizabethtown.

Larry was an excellent golfer in his young years, although he would never tell you that. He was quite humble about it. When he was 14 he won the state golf championship for his age group.

Larry and his wife, Claire, were the proud parents of Stephen Lawrence Marshall. Claire died with cancer at the tender age of 32.

During his adult years in Columbia, Larry served on the City Council for 16 years. He served on the library board for Adair County, when the new library was built. He coached Little League, and was instrumental in leadership in bringing about the building of a Little League Park in the community. In recent years, Larry served on the Habitat for Humanity Board in Hardin County.

Larry was baptized and confirmed in the Columbia United Methodist Church. He served his church in many capacities, including Trustee Chair and Administrative Board Chair. For many years he served on the Kentucky Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, as a lay representative to the board.

In his later years, Larry's main role in life has been Granddad Extraordinaire. He was so fortunate in his last years to live in Lexington, within ten minutes of 7 of his 9 grandchildren. Sometimes he'd drive them to school. He cherished that one-on-one time in conversation with them. He liked to follow all their activities, including: pre-school gymnastics; piano recitals; track meets; advice on that first job; baseball, basketball, and soccer games; and following the granddaughter who, in her freshman year of basketball, has already scored 1,000 points. (He would freely brag about all his kids, so he would definitely approve of mentioning this fine accomplishment.)

Larry loved traveling, and he and his wife Rachel were so fortunate to travel to many countries, including Nepal, Japan, Kenya, Tanzania, Argentina, Chile, Egypt, Jordan, Italy, Spain, the British Isles, and more.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, and by his first wife, Claire James Marshall. He is survived by his wife, The Reverend Rachel Scott Marshall; son Stephen Marshall and wife Jan; grandchildren Silas, Luke, Claire, and Jake Marshall; stepson Bill James and wife Laura Goulbourne; stepson Ted James and wife Hannah; step grandchildren Christopher and Nicholas Goulbourne, Eliza, Alice, and Ivy James; brother James Marshall and wife MaryLee, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Larry's favorite verse of scripture was Micah 6:8: "What does the Lord require of you, but to seek justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." Larry lived according to these words.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 5, at Southern Hills United Methodist Church, 2356 Harrodsburg Road, Lexington. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. The service will begin at 2:30 p.m.

Donations in memory may be made to Lindsey Wilson College, Habitat for Humanity, or Southern Hills United Methodist Church.