John Thomas Marshall

John Thomas Marshall was born on Jan. 22, 1940, in Beaumont, Texas, and passed away on Dec. 10, 2011, in Columbus, Texas, after a long and difficult struggle with cancer. He is predeceased by his parents, Courtenay D. Marshall and Frances Curtis Marshall. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Judith Cooper Marshall; his two daughters, Meredith Marshall and Amanda Marshall; tw

o grandsons, Liam Faure and Henry Moss; his siblings, Rebecca Hawener, Courtenay Marshall and William Marshall; his two previous wives, Mary Gainer Henderson Becker and Linda Geisler Marshall; and countless nieces and nephews, and their children; his horse, Pay-N-Go; his dog, Trinity; and countless other friends and family.

John grew up in Beaumont and graduated from St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Austin in 1958. He attended college at the College of Worcester and Texas A&M, graduating from Texas A&M in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in History. He then attended law school at the University of Texas, where he served as Comments Editor of the Texas Law Review before graduating in 1965.

He practiced law for approximately 27 years, first with the Department of Justice’s Anti-Trust Division, before moving to Mobil, where he retired as General Counsel for the North Sea in London, and finally opening his own practice. In addition, he assisted Southwest Airlines to set up a hub in Dallas.

John had many loves and interests. Whatever he undertook, he threw himself into whole-heartedly, whether it be music, fishing, reading, horseback riding or debating. He loved animals, and was inclined to rescue any animal in need, no matter what it was, or how grim its chances seemed. He particularly loved to debate politics or social mores, and could do so ceaselessly, with great delight.

He dearly loved a joke, and had a quick, wry sense of humor. The twinkle in his eye as he prepared to embark on some new joke or mischievous scheme will be sorely missed, as well as his unusual, yet completely infectious laugh.

He also possessed an indomitable will, which kept him going long after most others would have given up, and he consistently pushed himself and those around him to do the best they could in whatever they undertook. He was a great man and a great friend, and he will be missed by all who had the opportunity to know and love him.

Memorial services for John will be held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, 6500 St. Stephen’s Drive, Austin, Texas, 78746, on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. The family will receive callers at a reception after the service, also at St. Stephen’s.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be sent to Evening with the Authors, benefiting the Dr. Eugene Clark Library, PO Box 657 Lockhart, Texas 78644; St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, 6500 St. Stephen’s Drive, Austin, Texas, 78746; the World Wildlife Fund, 1250 Twenty-Fourth Street, N.W., P.O. Box 97180, Washington, DC 20090-7180; or a charity of your choice.