Obituary of Jack MARSHALL

October 16, 1934 – Welwyn, Saskatchewan

October 11, 2019 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sorrow, the family of John (Jack) William Marshall announce his passing on Friday, October 11, 2019, at the age of 84, surrounded by his loved ones.

Jack was born a cowboy on the family farm just outside of Welwyn Saskatchewan on October 16, 1934 to George and Marion Marshall. Jack grew up on the family farm with his two sisters Donna and Jean.

In 1951, Jack left school and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as a mechanic. The RCAF took Jack across Canada, stationing him in Montreal and Moosejaw. Jack left the RCAF in December 1956, leading to a series of odd jobs in Saskatoon, Winnipeg, and Regina. His son Jim was born in September of 1954. Some of the jobs were odder than others, including a stint as a milk delivery driver for Co-op Creameries in Regina where he delivered milk using a team of horses. It was in Regina where Jack met Elaine, and the two moved to Calgary in the spring of 1960 to start a life together. Jack continued as a milk delivery driver in Calgary (though he left the horses behind in Regina) until the spring of 1961, where he began working as a pickup driver for Mannix Pipeline. Jack spent several years working in warehouses on many pipeline jobs in Slave Lake, High Level, Fox Creek, Minneapolis, and St. Paul. Jack also worked on a sandblasting crew for the Trans-Canada Pipeline from Winnipeg to Berstall Saskatchewan. Jack worked from 1968 to 1969 in Fort McMurray for the railway division of Mannix Pipeline in Fox Creek & in Ft. McMurray stripping the tar sands for Syncrude, until he returned full-time to Calgary in the winter of 1969 to work with Galleli Sand & Gravel, which was later bought by Canada Cement LaFarge. In 1978, Jack went to work as a parts and warehouseman for Economy Tractor Parts. On December 11, 1982, Jack decided that he had taken his last drink of alcohol, and so it was. From that day on, Jack committed himself to the A.A. program and community. Jack touched many lives but outside of his family, he was most proud of those he helped overcome their addictions through Alcoholics Anonymous. Jack celebrated 13,453 days of sobriety. In 1990, Jack moved to Red Deer to work with Union Tractor where he lived with his daughter Charlene and her young family. Jack remained there until 1993, when he moved back to Calgary to work with Economy Tractor Parts. Jack would make his first attempt at retirement in 2004. Jack had a fondness for tidiness and organization. Despite selling refurbished heavy equipment parts, Jack kept his warehouses and storerooms clean enough to eat off the shelves (though if he caught you dirtying his shelves by eating off them, Lord help you). During retirement, Jack put his socializing skills to work, taking a stint as an ambassador for his son Jim’s travel company. Jack spent his retirement travelling, serving the A.A. community, and spending time with his friends and family. Jack passed peacefully in Calgary, AB, surrounded by loved ones, listening to country music and statements of love and appreciation from his friends and family. Jack would often greet newcomers to the A.A. meetings he was present at by telling them “welcome, we’ve been waiting for you”. Last Friday afternoon, Jack went to meet the Lord, where the Lord undoubtedly greeted him the same way.

Jack is survived by his children, Jim Marshall (Pauline) of Kelowna, B.C., Charlene Marshall of Edmonton, AB and Brad Marshall (Judy) of Calgary, AB; his grandchildren, Corey Marshall (Karen) great-grandchildren Peri, Lily and Levi and Ryan Marshall (Devon) great-grandchildren Londyn, Brynn and Briar (children/grandchildren of Jim), Jordan Bierkos (Stevie) great-grandchildren, Alexis, Isabella and Kinnley (son and granddaughters of Charlene), Colton Bierkos and Makayla Bierkos (Zach) (children of Charlene), *Chris Macdonald (Nicky) great-grandchildren, Rylan, Jathan and Curtis MacDonald (Andrea) great-grandchild, Nolen (children/grandchildren of Brad). Jack is also survived by his step-children, Richard Klyne (Tanya) of Thailand and Robert Klyne (Debbie) of Wheatley, ON; his grandchildren, Mauren Klyne, Michelle Klyne and Richie Klyne (children of Richard) Linda Klyne, Bobby Klyne, Rick Klyne, Jennifer Klyne, Lindsay Klyne and Stephanie Chambers (Jason) (children of Robert) and many great-grandchildren and grand nieces and nephews; his sister Jean Kemp (Jack) and nieces Diana Stewart (Dave) (daughter of Jean) and Sheila Byers (daughter of Donna). Jack mentored so many people who considered him a second father and great friend who will also dearly miss him.

Jack was predeceased by his parents George and Marion Marshall, his sister Donna Byers (Bill) as well as his grandparents, aunts and uncles in Canada and Scotland.

A Celebration of Jack’s Life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. The Celebration is open to all who wish to join the family in celebrating Jack's life. Condolences may be forwarded through www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

A tree will be planted in living memory of Jack Marshall.  McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive S.W., Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.