Thomas "Tom" David Marshall, Sr.

Thomas "Tom" David Marshall, Sr., age 90, died on April 3, 2016 in Texarkana, Texas. Tom is preceded in death by his grandson, Marshall Dunkerson and mother of his children, Violet Turner Marshall Pruett. He is survived by his wife, Dee Marshall; children: Randy & Gail Marshall of Bismarck, Ark., David & Kathy Marshall of Texarkana, Ark., Dana & Larry Dunkerson of Black Oak, Ark.; stepchildren, Gary Hicks of Fouke, Ark. and Patricia & Alex Orta of McKinney, Texas. He has 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by many friends and loved ones. Tom was born on Jan. 4, 1926 in Hornersville, Mo., the only child to parents, Ulysses Albert & Maggie Hanners Marshall. At the age of 18, he went to University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., then was drafted into the service of his country. In March 1944, he went into 2nd Division U.S. Marine Corp where he served in Saipan, Okinawa, and later with the occupational troops in Nagasaki, Japan. Returning home in 1946, started back to college. He graduated Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Ark. with a bachelor degree in agriculture and a master degree in public school administration. He was a teacher, principal, and superintendent for the Leachville, Ark.; public school for 30 years, 27 ½ years as superintendent. Retiring from school administration and farming in June 1982, he moved to Texarkana and in July 1982, he started Marshall Home Healthcare. Twelve years later after opening a total of 12 stores, he retired to full time luxury. Upon selling Marshall Home Healthcare, his only request was that he be the only person to leave the business for six months because he had the best of the best of employees. Tom was a member of Beech Street First Baptist of Texarkana, Ark.; on the board of directors for T.A.M.E.D, KLFI TV and International Baptist Ministries; a deacon, Sunday school teacher and Sunday school superintendent at 1st Baptist Leachville, Ark. His family and friends will always remember him as a man that even through death did things on his time not on anyone else's time, but always God was #1. The graveside service will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at Hillcrest Memorial Park with Reverend Craig Jenkins officiating under the direction of Texarkana Funeral Home (Texas Blvd) with a Celebration of Life Service following at Beech Street First Baptist Church at 11 a.m. The family would like to thank his care givers: Janae Smith, Mary Myles, Heritage Home Care & Hospice staff, and Chaplin Kevin Holt. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Arkansas Baptist Children's Home, 222 West Pope, Monticello, AR 71675 or Beech Street First Baptist Ministries, 601 Beech St., Texarkana, AR 71854. Online registration is at www.texarkanafuneralhome.com.