John Gibbs Marshall passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 13th, 2021 after living a long, full life characterized by devotion to God and to his family. John was born on March 12th, 1927 in Salt Lake City, Utah but grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was the oldest of four brothers and spent much of his youth helping care for his younger brother, Bobby, who had special needs. Growing up, he also sold magazines door-to-door to earn money, enjoyed playing basketball for the Las Vegas High School basketball team, and appreciated the wild beauty of the desert of Southern Nevada.
In 1945, he graduated from Las Vegas High School and went on to enlist in the United States Navy. After completing his time in the Navy, he dedicated himself as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in Mexico for two and a half years. He was the second missionary called to work in El Salvador during his mission. Upon returning home, he began dating Faun Wood in 1950. They were married shortly thereafter in the St. George temple and relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah where John enrolled at the University of Utah to pursue law. At the University of Utah, John was the editor-in-chief of the law review, a member of Phi Kappa Phi, and graduated Summa Cum Laude, Order of the Coif—the highest honor bestowed on law graduates. John worked at the state attorney general’s office and eventually opened his own law office. He went on to practice the profession for over sixty years. Along the way, John and Faun welcomed five children to their family: daughters Frances, Robyn, Marianne, Julie, and finally, son Woody.
John was known for his faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was an avid reader of scripture and embraced the various callings he held as a member of the Church, from branch president to High Priest Group Leader to ward mission leader and home teacher. His love of the scriptures showed in his calling as a Gospel Doctrine instructor for over twenty years, and he especially loved his tenure as a temple worker for seventeen years. In 1962, John was called to the presidency of the Salt Lake Valley Regional mission; then in 1978, he was called to return to Mexico, this time as a mission president in Veracruz. Hundreds of missionaries came to call John and Faun family for the years they spent doing missionary work. John retained a passion for this work throughout his life, completing thorough family history research and taking joy in regular temple attendance. John was also ordained a temple sealer in 2006 and was able to personally officiate the sealing ceremonies for ten of his children and grandchildren.
In the 94 years John spent on this earth, he touched the lives of countless people and was admired and respected by many. But ultimately, the greatest roles that John played were that of husband and father. He and Faun built a happy life together over seventy years of marriage and set an example of kindness, generosity of spirit, and good humor. At the end of a long workday, John could often be found in the kitchen cooking dinner and catching up with his wife and children. He made the best Saturday morning pancake breakfasts for his grandchildren. John enjoyed classical music and inspired by his favorite composer, Rachmaninoff, took piano lessons well into adulthood. He was always encouraging of his family members to similarly pursue their interests and find success. John will be fondly remembered for the road trips he took his family on across the United States, his keen wit, the playfulness he showed family dogs Butch, Oscar, and Molly, and good counsel he gave to each of his children. His absence leaves a void, but we look forward with an eye of faith to seeing him again one day. Until that time, we know he has returned to the loving presence of his parents and brothers.
In addition, the Marshall family would like to extend special thanks to Jose Ramos for the excellent care he provided John in his final months of life.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Frances and George, brothers Robert, Edward, and James Marshall and grandson, Taylor. He is survived by his wife Faun, Frances and Richard Wyss, Robyn and Paul Olson, Marianne and Jeff Brazell, Julie and Thom Paige, and Woody and JoAnne Marshall; in addition, John is survived by his twenty grandchildren, twenty-nine great-grandchildren, with three more on the way.
A viewing will take place on December 18th, 2021 at The Olympus Cove Ward Chapel (4407 South Fortuna Way in Salt Lake City, Utah 84124) at 9:30 am, followed by a funeral at 11:00 am. A zoom broadcast will be available at https://zoom.us/j/94766120179?pwd=OHJSZnFtN0RzblpnYmpvMTBoNCtnZz09 for those unable to attend in person. Interment will be Monday, December 20, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.
