Edison Toby Marshall Jr.

Edison Toby Marshall, Jr. was born on May 14, 1932 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Edison Marshall, Sr. and Julia Lewis Marshall. Even though the thirties brought hard times to many, Edison always said that he felt rich in family and friends. As a youth, Edison accepted Jesus Christ into his life as his Lord and Savior and was baptized at Old Zion Missionary Baptist Church in New Orleans. Throughout his life, he kept his deep faith in God.

At the age of nineteen, Edison joined the Air Force. He began his career in supply. During the Korean War, he was stationed at Tachikawa Air Base in Japan. He flew in and out of Korea in order to help deliver needed supplies to our troops. Through the years, he lived in many places around the world. He cross trained to the field of air transportation. He played football and ran track with base teams. He eventually became the track and field coach at Clark AFB in the Philippines, becoming the first African American coach in the area. During the Viet Nam War, he was deployed twice to Viet Nam. He was assigned to the First Calvary, the First Marine Division, and the 101st Screaming Eagles during these deployments. The Air Force provided air support for the troops assigned to the area. After twenty-three years in the Air Force, Edison retired with the rank of technical sergeant. After retiring, he decided to attend American River Community College where he met his future wife Dixie. He graduated from American River with an associate of arts degree. He then went on to Sacramento State University, but his education was cut short when he accepted an offer from Northrup to work in Saudi Arabia. During this time he married his wife, Dixie, to whom he was married for forty four years. After returning from Saudi Arabia, Edison began work as a laborer in high-rise construction at the age of 49. He continued working in construction until the age of 65 when he retired. After retiring from construction, he began officiating high school football games. He continued to officiate these games until he was 75.

Edison was active in the Buford A. Johnson Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen where he served as parliamentarian and as the head of the scholarship committee. He delighted in going to high schools to speak to the young people there and to promote the scholarships. He was also an active member of The Retired Military Brothers.

Edison never met a stranger. He was a friend to all he met, and would lend a helping hand to anyone he saw who was in need of assistance. He especially valued his family, and was always ready to reach out to them. He was a good son, brother, father, and husband. He was loved and will be missed by all who called him friend.

He leaves to mourn him his wife Dixie Marshall, his children June Marshall, Byron Marshall (Cheynene), Renee Day (Rob), and Cleo Marshall; grandchildren Aaron Marshall, Maurice Marshall, Raymond Marshall, Chenese Marshall, Seth Day, Matthew Day (Wilma), Shawn Van Buren, Duana Van Buren, Dylonda Marshall, and Syruss Marshall; sisters Althea Lawes, Celestine Harris, Margaret Sheppard, and Essie Blanchard (Ronald); and brother Isiah Lewis. He also leaves three greatgrandchildren Omari Perkins, Khyren Babbs, and Adonnis Marshall Smith as well as many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death are his father Edison Marshall, Sr., mother Julia Lewis Marshall, sisters Brenda Sheppard Jones, Yvonne Marshall Rhines, and Dorothy Marshall Gillespie; brothers Hugh Marshall, Louis Sheppard, Sr., and Bobbie John Marshall, Sr.; and brothers-in-law Fred Rhines and Norman Lawes.