Keifer Marshall, Jr., age 91 of Temple, died Sunday, May 28, 2017 in a local hospital. Services will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, June 2nd at Christ Episcopal Church with The Rev. Justin Yawn and The Rev. Mark Wilburn officiating. Private family burial with military honors will be held at Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 PM Thursday at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home. Robert William Keifer Marshall Jr. was born September 24, 1925 in Temple to Robert William Keifer Marshall and Azalee Matthews Marshall. He was a graduate of Temple High School, where he was a letterman and captain of the football team and was selected to play in the 1943 Texas High School All-Star Game. He went on to attend the University of Texas, lettering in football, where, as a true freshman, played all 60 minutes of the 1944 Cotton Bowl Classic. In addition to playing football, he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and the Silver Spurs. While in college, Keifer met the love of his life, Sammie, who was voted the “Sweetheart” of The University of Texas by the student body. In 1996, he was elected to the Longhorn Hall of Honor at The University of Texas. He was also a member of the Chancellor’s Council of the University of Texas System. Keifer served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, 3rd Marine Division, 9th Regiment, F Company, 2nd Battalion and was a rifleman. As a Marine, Keifer first fought on Guam, then Iwo Jima, where, out of his company of 250 men, only few survived. Keifer was a devoted civic, business, and community leader, serving many leadership roles throughout his life, and enjoying a respected career in the insurance industry. In 1950 he founded Keifer Marshall Insurance, and was a successful businessman in many endeavors. His professional accomplishments include graduating from the SMU Institute of Insurance Marketing, being a Life and Qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table, Member and Former President of the Heart of Texas Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and a Member of the Texas Leaders Round Table Insurance Association. Keifer was also a rancher and raised cattle on a family ranch east of Temple, which was one of his most loved pastimes. Among the many civic and community roles and honors throughout Keifer’s life, he most notably served first as a city councilman for the City of Temple, then served two terms as the Mayor of Temple. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Scott & White Health and Maintenance Organization, Extraco Banks, Cultural Activities Center, and Temple College Foundation, among many others. Keifer was also a Former President of the Board of Regents for Temple College, was an Eagle Scout, and was a member and former Vestryman of Christ Episcopal Church of Temple. Of all of Keifer’s accomplishments, it is widely recognized that he was most proud of his 69-year marriage to his best friend, Sammie, followed closely by his love for his son, his grandchildren, and his three great-grandchildren. Keifer is survived by his wife, Sammie Farrier Marshall, his two grandsons, Rob Marshall and his wife, Christina Marshall of Temple and Patrick Marshall of Temple; his step granddaughter Kim Combs of Louisville, Kentucky; three great-grandchildren, Keifer Marshall V, Lily Marshall, and Weston Marshall, all of Temple and two step great-grandchildren; Jessica Dentinger and her husband David of Fort Myers, Florida and Isabella Combs of Louisville, Kentucky. He was preceded in death by his son, Robert William Keifer Marshall III. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 300 North Main, Temple, Texas 76501.
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