Marshall Herbert McClarnon, Jr.

Marshall Herbert McClarnon, Jr., 70, died the evening of June 21, 2025 surrounded by his family at Sacred Ground Hospice House in Knoxville, TN. After many years living with Parkinson's, he passed from a severe pneumonia.

Marshall was preceded in death by his daughter Christiana McClarnon, his sisters Mary Lee McClarnon Kreger and Susan Clark McClarnon, and his parents Anne Battle West McClarnon and retired Air Force Lt. Col Marshall H. McClarnon, Sr. He is survived by his wife, Holly Denise McClarnon, their children: Trey (Kate), Chad (Trista), and Evelyn Barnette (Paul), his grandchildren Matilda Battle and Elwood Wayne Barnette, his sister Margaret Anne Norris (Robert), 11 nieces and nephews and 23 great nieces and nephews.

Marshall was born January 9, 1955, in Nashville, TN, the eldest child of the late Anne and Marshall McClarnon, Sr. Raised in a military family, he moved around a lot as a child. As a result, putting down roots was always important to Marshall. Once his family returned to Middle Tennessee, he attended Gallatin High School, class of 1974. In the summer of 1976 he met a cute girl at church camp, and after a 2-year courtship, Marshall and Holly married on the second anniversary of their first date, solidifying that these roots would be found in Gallatin, TN. And he ran them down deep.

He could absolutely shred a guitar. His speaking voice was built for radio. His singing voice was built for blues. Marshall McClarnon, Jr. was a man of towering talent and while others would have sought fame and fortune, he used his gifts to build community. To build friendships. To raise family.

Marshall taught himself to play guitar by obsessively listening to the records he loved and watching American Bandstand on TV and mimicking the finger placements. This gave him a grasp of the fundamentals, after which he just played by feel. He built a bridge between his heart and his hands to make magic. First with Ambrosia, then Paradise, the Rehoboth United Methodist Church Praise Band (which cooked more than any praise band has any business doing!), the infamous Marshall and Friends, and hosting various blues jams, he made music his entire life. He played when his hair covered his belt. He played when his beard covered the strings. He entertained people. He loved it. And if you ever saw him play, you loved it too.

Marshall McClarnon, Jr. was a radio man. After a brief but famed stint as a clerk at the People's Store, Marshall landed a gig for W.H.I.N. Radio. His quick-witted baritone voice was heard for three decades across seven counties as his on-air name "Mike Marshall". He spun records, reported the news, and hosted events. He turned Swap and Shop, an on-air classifieds, into a can't miss comedy show prompting more calls to the station about his running jokes than to buy anything from the show.

Marshall was not a serious man. In fact, he often prided himself on being the silliest person in a room. He was a master of comedic rhythm and language, and maintained a gloriously absurd perspective on the world. He was punishingly quick with a joke, his hearty laugh was infectious, and his pet naming skills were legendary.

Marshall moved to Knoxville, TN where he quietly lived the final years of his life building magical memories with his cherished grandchildren. Marshall is remembered as a loving husband. A fantastic father and grandfather. A loyal friend. Whether you knew him as Mike or Marshall, Diddi or Poppa, for the radio, for his music, or for his smile, you knew him as a friend. The thrill is gone, but the love he put into the world never will be.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Sunday, July 20th at 3:00pm at Papa Turney's Old Fashion BBQ in Hermitage where Marshall will be sent off with laughter, stories, music and his favorite gumbo.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Sacred Ground Hospice House at https://sacredgroundhospicehouse.com/donate/