Eugene O'Neil Marshall

Eugene “Gene” Marshall, 82, longtime resident of Rocky Ford, passed away on May 24, 2014, after a short battle with cancer. He was born on October 15, 1931 in Butler, Oklahoma to Nelson Amos & Guyla M. (Melling) Marshall.
 
Gene, his wife, Mildred, and three daughters moved to Rocky Ford in 1970. He took over the family farm his parents bought in the 1940s and opened his refrigeration business that served the valley until his retirement.
 
Gene graduated from Rocky Ford High School in 1950. He served in the National Guard in Rocky Ford, and then joined the Navy in 1952 serving in the Korean War. During his service he met and married his beloved wife of 53 years, Mildred, who passed away in 2007.
 
Gene and Mildred were proud supporters of young people in Rocky Ford and supported athletics at RFHS for years. They were honored as Mr. and Mrs. Meloneer although at the time all three of their daughters had graduated.
 
Gene loved to travel with his wrestlers around the country as they competed in national tournaments. He and his wife were proud of all the “kids” they loved and supported in Rocky Ford.
 
Gene worshipped at the Rocky Ford First Christian Church and served as a deacon for many years. He helped to maintain the building and grounds and was always there to lend a hand when needed.
 
Gene served the community over his lifetime at the Grand Theatre, Balloon Festival, Friends of the Library, the Rocky Ford Food Bank, Care and Share, among many others. He also played Santa and rang bells for the Salvation Army.
 
Gene is survived by this daughters, Donna Marshall Bush of Portland, Oregon, Darla Marshall of Swink, Diana Marshall and Cindy Kovalcik of Rocky Ford; grandchildren, Jennifer (Adam) McManus, Mark Bush all of Austin, Texas, and Jolinn Marshall of Swink; great-grandchildren, Connor, Bryce, and Alexis McManus of Austin, Texas, and Kami Marshall of Swink, and his friend and companion, Charlen Lindahlz.
 
Those wishing to do so may make donations to the First Christian Church in Rocky Ford or the Arkansas Valley Hospice direct or through the funeral home.
 

Graveside service will be Thursday, May 29, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Rocky Ford Cemetery with Pastor John Dell of the First Christian Church in Rocky Ford officiating. A luncheon will follow graveside at the First Christian Church in the Fellowship Hall.