JAMES MARSHALL obituary

CHESTER - James Keith ("Jim") Marshall, 73, died Wednesday, July 21, 2004, at a Chester hospital.

It was Jim's wish to be cremated. A graveside service with military rites will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Chester Cemetery.

Jim was born in Chester to William and Sadie (Taplin) Marshall on Feb. 6, 1931. He grew up in Chester and received his formal education there.

In 1950 Jim entered the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., and attained the rank of Corporal. Following his honorable discharge in 1953, he returned to Montana.

Jim began working at the Art Berg farm near Kremlin. He married Shirley Jolly in 1955 in Kremlin. The Marshalls had three children before their divorce.

Jim moved back to Chester and began building homes for Leo Schaub Construction. In 1961 he married Betty Wood in Havre. That same year, he took a job with the Montana State Highway Department where he worked on road maintenance in the Chester section. Jim adopted Betty's two children in 1968. In addition, they had a child together. They lived and worked in the Chester community throughout their married life. After 27 years with the highway department, Jim retired in 1989.

Jim's health remained relatively good over the years. About a week ago, he experienced severe chest pains while working in his yard. He was sent to a Great Falls hospital for tests, which revealed major heart damage. He transferred back to Chester for extended care.

Jim was a past member of the Chester Lions and Jaycees. He coached American Legion and Little League baseball in those early years in Chester. In addition, he worked as umpire for the community softball leagues for many years. He was a lifelong sports enthusiast and his favorite sport was baseball. He had been a longtime fan of the New York Yankees until recent years when his loyalty moved to the Chicago Cubs. Since his retirement, he enjoyed his daily trips to the Chester Vets Club, where he socialized with friends and watched his favorite games on television. In fact, he kept the daily statistics on a special baseball board at the Vets Club. (The local patrons have affectionately referred to this board as "Jim Marshall"s Famous Baseball Blackout"). Because of Jim's longstanding loyalty to the Vets, he was recognized by his friends several years ago with a special gift: his own personalized barstool identified with his special nickname, "Chipper Jones" Marshall.

Jim's other interests included camping, fishing and cooking. He enjoyed watching "The Price is Right" on television and he collected caps, most of them were baseball caps.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ethel Belstad; and brothers, William Jr. and Darrell Marshall.

Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Betty of Chester; sons, Tony (Shona) Marshall of Pilot Rock, Ore., Butch (Cindy) Marshall of Kremlin, Kenny (Nancy) Marshall of Havre and Scot ( Jeannean) Marshall of Chester; daughters, Lynn (Bill) Lonbeck of Cut Bank and Jodine Sheppard of Stanford; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sisters, Dorothy Stores, Maude Bassett and Mabel Jacobson, all of Chester, Janet Nessan of Great Falls and Edith Cherry of Houston, Texas; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Memorials may be made to the Hi-Line Health Foundation in Chester.

Arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester.