Donald Marshall 1931-2025 ….
Donald Marshall 1931-2025
Donald Marshall passed away at age 94 on May 27, 2025.
He was born of Finnish descent in Montana in 1931 and raised on a small farm. Don then joined the Air Force in 1950 and served overseas in Korea and Japan.
After the war, Don married his bride, Joan Gale, became the first in his family to attend college. He began a career in the aerospace and defense industry, eventually settling in Southern California by the early 1960s.
Don loved sailing and spent many hours aboard his boat and sailing with local clubs. As an avid sailor he sailed on a 35foot sloop from Long Beach to Hawaii and later with his family as crew sailed over 1,600 miles from Long Beach, California, to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and back.
After his wife passed in 2010, Don moved into Leisure World with his son Michael. Don was a member of the LW Ham Radio Club, a regular on the “morning net” and also co-founder of the Drone Service Club.
Though suffering from Parkinson’s and other ailments he was still able to get around. While in Montana, he suffered a biking mishap. With family present, Don passed away several weeks later while recovering in his Montana cabin. A loving and devoted father, he is survived by his great granddaughter, two grandchildren and his daughter and son. He will be greatly missed by all.