Marshall Holmes Earl Jr.

1942 - 2022

EARL, Marshall Holmes, Jr., son of Marshall Holmes Earl Sr. and Virginia San (Earl) Peter, was born August 5, 1942 in Ocala, Fl and died July 29, 2022 in Richmond, VA. Marshall graduated from Woodberry Forest School, Summa Cum Laude and obtained the highest standing in his class; attended Princeton University graduating Magna Cum Laude; and earned a JD from Harvard Law School. He was proud of his military service as a First Lieutenant, Asst. Provost Marshall, 503d MP Co., Third Armored Division Europe.

After fulfilling his military obligation, Marshall joined the law firm McGuire Woods in 1969 and became a partner in 1974, focusing his legal practice on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, business law, corporate governance and corporate finance. Marshall was a brilliant strategist and negotiator. He handled some of the biggest deals in the country and was instrumental in starting the firm's offices in Brussels and Chicago. Marshall was a member of the American Bar Association and Richmond Bar Association, holding committee positions with each.

In his personal life, Marshall was known for his love and appreciation of music, art, and books. His lifelong passion was opera. He traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, usually focusing his attention on cities and regions centered around opera and museums. He was an early president of The Richmond Friends of Opera, and when that organization came under the umbrella of the Virginia Opera Association, he twice served as president of the Central Virginia Board and was on the Executive Committee. He also served on the Advisory Board of The Richmond Symphony. Marshall was also a voracious reader with a special interest in history. He often spent his free time exploring small, remote bookstores hunting for new discoveries to add to his extensive library.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Rita Savage Earl; his son, Marshall Holmes Earl III; his daughter, Eleanor Taylor Earl Mikkelson; his son-in-law, Joseph Scott Mikkelson; his granddaughters, Ashley Taylor Mikkelson and Emma Katherine Mikkelson; his sister, Amelia Earl Reeves and nephews, John Boswell Reeves and Rabbi Frederick Holmes Reeves.

The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to the LVAD team and Heart Center at VCU/MCV Hospital, to his loving caregivers, Naomy Moreka and Yolanda Daley, and the many others who supported and assisted Marshall over the last several years.

A memorial service will be held at St. James's Episcopal Church, 1205 West Franklin St., at 11:30 a.m. on August 11, 2022. For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed on the church's website. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. James's Episcopal Church's music program, Virginia Opera Association or The Richmond Symphony.