Truly a great man, husband and father. I worked for Marshall at Ft Sheridan as his driver. Nata and I send our heart felt sympathy to Pat, family and friends.   I was enlisted (E-4) at the time I met Marshall,  told him I wanted to quit being post commanders driver and go back to my duties...........Marshall laughed, told me to come in, close the door and have a sit.  We just talked and it was immediately apparent that Marshall  was special.  He touched my life, became the best man at my wedding and cared. Marshall, thank you for who you are, bless you and your family and know your picture hangs in our house and in our hearts. Your legacy is far and wide.

I drove the colonel when he was the post Commander at Fort Sheridan. I drove him in 1987 and 1988. One of the best people I have ever met known. We were all sad to see him. Leave Fort Sheridan. And move on to Fort Sill, Oklahoma to his new command. I used to have to take him on gfo meetings every now and then. After two weeks. I finally said something to him because it wasn't on the schedule and I was always worried about not being there and miss taking him some where.  Which meant go somewhere. Usually get a haircut. And then there was this other time. That he had to get down to the airport to O'Hare. He says Devin were in a hurry. We jumped on 41. And where it goes from two lanes to five Lanes. We went in between the cars and the sign on the side of the road doing about 80. He said Devin on second thought we're not in that much of a hurry. I can always take a later flight. The colonel will truly be deeply missed. God bless him. And his family his wife and daughter.
PFC Devin S. Ford

A lifetime ago, Marshall and I were in high school together.  What a great guy.  We shared many times together.  Some wonderful, worth remembering forever.  Others we won't discuss now, but still worth remembering.  Those were the "good old days".  Farewell my friend. 


So sorry to read of Marshall's passing.  Growing up in Newton, and being a year older,  I remember him well.  He was a sweet, gentle, and kind young boy.  In high school, I remember Marshall as a fine athlete and a good student.  He was always looked up to by all the other students and was really such a good young man, never one to cause or get into trouble.  I know his family will miss him terribly.   Marshall's classmates will never forget  him and I know they will hold the wonderful memeories of him in their hearts for the remainder of their years.      Judy Hass Abee


Forty-one years ago, as a newly commissioned 2LT, I reported to Fort Sill for the basic course. Painted on the wall of the personnel administration building, I read the words, “Mission First, People Always.” I thought, how quaint, and I moved on for in-processing. Little did I know that those words would, someday, ring so true.

Five months later, I reported for duty in my first assignment, reporting to LTC Marshall McRee in Butzbach, Germany. My salute was returned and was followed by a hearty handshake and a slap on the back, which, in retrospect, was probably closer to a hug than I realized. Marshall truly cared for those under his command. Not only was he my commander, I quickly learned that he was my mentor. Serving with Marshall was a privilege and an honor.  My respect for him was never based on subservient fear, rather the mutual respect and admiration was a wide-open, two-way avenue that I enjoyed and suspect that all who served with him enjoyed, as well.

When I announced to the battalion staff that I was going to be a daddy, Marshall was right there, ready with another hearty handshake. Five years later, when my little boy knocked on the quarters’ door of the McRees’ for trick-or-treating, Marshall was ready with his bowl of goodies. To my horror, my little demon side-stepped Marshall and began one of those Family Circus paths throughout the many spaces available. Marshall laughed a big belly laugh and insisted that my wife and I come on in. It was as if the four plus years since our last meeting was just a blink of an eye. My mentor was still engaged.

During that long ago, assignment, all of us were geographically separated from friends and family; we were in a new culture with a foreign language; but we were family. In later duty stations, I worked with many but never, again, experienced the family ties that were so carefully nurtured by COL McRee. Farewell my friend and mentor, Rest in Peace. Know that you will be remembered.


Our condolences, Ann.  He will be missed.  He always had a story to tell.

Marshall always greeted me with a "Smile" that said "Glad to See You".
We will miss him and his "Can Do" attitude. 
My Love and Prayers to Pat, his Children and Grandchildren. 
You were truly Blessed to have had Marshall to guide you in your lives.
He is now your Guardian Angel.

Love to all,
Nancy and Jim Garlanger

I could fill a novel-size document with my memories and the admiration I have for Marsh and his family. But, I'll try to be brief. Marsh loved his Lord, his family,his country and life itself. And, he lived life to the fullest for them! While he had two daughters, Marsh and Pat have hundreds of sons--men whom he mentored, modeled what a leader looked like, and loved!

My favorite memory of Marsh comes from 1989 when he was the Deputy Assistant Commandant (DAC) at the USAFAS at Ft Sill. I was the Executive Officer to the AC. When we were between General Officers, Marsh was the acting AC. One day after lunch, he asks me what I'm doing for the rest of the afternoon. Of course, I was at my desk. But, he says, you leave here in an hour or so and go pick up your boys and meet me at particular pond on the back side of Ft Sill. The guys at Outdoor Rec and Wildlife (who also adored Marsh) had alerted him to the fact that this particular pond had just been stocked with about 35 farm-raised, grain-fed catfish--each weighing between 15 and 30 lbs! So, I did as instructed. My oldest son, Parrish, who was 71/2 at the time, hooked one of those monsters on little Zebco 33 wtih a 12-lb test line. So, Marsh coached him for about 30 minutes while he got the fish closer and closer to the bank. Once he had it within a few feet of the bank, we had no dip net, and when Parrish tried to raise the fish out of the water, it snapped his pole and line. Before I could even react, I heard an expletive from Marsh and heard a huge splash. Marsh jumped into about 3 ft of water and in one  motion swooped the fish up with both arms and flung a 23-lb catfish onto the bank! I'm not sure who was more thrilled--Parrish, Marsh or me!! 

Marshall always cared about family first and foremost and this included his extended family. My family will always be grateful to Marshall.   When my father a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy passed away he ensured that he would have a military funeral in Pangburn, AR.  It allowed for my family to fulfill the wishes of my late father.  Marshall valued and honored the service that any serviceman gave for his country.   I remember one of his saying was "you always make time for family" and it always made you feel good about visiting them or about them visiting you even though the visits were few and far between.   When my brother was a young boy and visiting in AR he wanted to go fishing.  It was raining and freezing cold outside but Marshall took the time to take him fishing.  I know that my parents will welcome him with open arms in heaven.   To Pat, Tracy, and Stephanie.....May God give you strength to bear this loss, as only he can do and grant his loving comfort to your family and to you.   Pam Nowell 

Marsh was the Chief of Staff of III Corps Artillery when I reported for duty there as the Operations Officer (S-3).  We hit it off right away and he became one of the best bosses I ever had in almost 32 years in the Army.  He was wonderful on the job and equally wonderful off-duty.  His love for Pat and their daughters was there for all to see.  

Later I went to another job in the 212th Field Artillery Brigade and Marsh went down to command the 214th.  While the two brigades were ostensibly rivals, Marsh continued to treat me like one of his own, always willing to take a call from me and help me think through whatever problem it was that I called him about.   

The word "mentor" gets overused sometimes.  I am pleased and proud to say Marsh McRee was a mentor to me in every sense of the term.

Diane joins me in heartfelt condolences to the McRee family.   Losing him must have been devastating, but I hope you can take some comfort in knowing how blessed you were to have him.

OBITUARY

Marshall Ray McRee

November 28, 1938 – December 11, 2018

Baldwin-Fairchild Oviedo Funeral Home

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