Marshall Fox

Marshall Louis Fox passed away March 23, 2023 on his oldest son's Shannon's birthday, at the Lamon-Lusk-Sanchez Texas Veterans Home in Big Spring Texas. The family wishes to thank the staff of the Texas Veterans home for the exceptional love and care of Marshall and Verna while in the Veteran's home. He was born March 03, 1940, to Alva Marshall and Edna Inez (Watson) Fox, in Jacksboro, Texas. Marshall attended high school, in Lubbock, graduating from Monterey in 1958. He attended Texas Tech University from 1958 – 1961. Marshall proudly served his country by serving in the United States Army, from 1963-1965. Upon receiving his honorable discharge, he returned home ans served two additional years in the reserves. Marshall kept track of many Army buddies over the decades after his service. Later, he met, and married Verna Louise (Reese) Fox; they were married November 18, 1967; they were married 54 years, until Verna's passing on November 10, 2021. To this union, they had two strong, hard working sons, Shannon and Russell, who loved their parents beyond measure. Marshall and Verna helped raise many other young men teaching them life skills that are well used in raising their own families. Special mention are Randy Mandrell and Matt Gilbreth both of whom will honor the family helping during the services.

During the period of time Marshall served his county, he quickly rose to the rank of Buck Sargent (E5/SPS). Marshall then went to work for the United States Postal Service where he began as a letter carrier and progressed to Equal Employment Quality of Work Life Facilitator; he was also a member of the Postal Union. Marshall completed 33 years of federal service. Marshall was also a farmer and rancher. He held many memberships, to include National Association of Letter Carriers, AFL/CIO, NALC Facilitator, and the National Rifle Association. Marshall also made many accomplishments along the way; he rose to the rank of E5 SGT/SPS in 19 months; he was vice president and president of the local letter carrier union, and wrote articles and editorials for the Postal Record. Marshall also wrote letters to the editor, which were published in the Lubbock Avalanche Journal. But out of all his accomplishments, he worshipped his God and Savior Jesus as a Pentecostal at heart always in all situations.

Marshall was preceded in death by his wife Verna, his parents, Alva and Edna, sister Ellender Doreene Fox-Jenkins, sister Salma Darlene Fox, brother Alva Geha Fox, brother George Gerald Fox, and a son Shannon Louis Fox (November 16, 2022) Those remaining to cherish his memories are his son Russell Bryan Fox and wife Tristy Nell (Peek), and granddaughters Savanna Brynn Fox, McKayla Rylee Fox, and Allyssa Scout Fox along with sister-in-law Ellen Joy (EJ) Graham, sister-in-law Marilynn Kay Redden, and Dr. Royce Williard Reese. Marshall and Verna have many beloved nieces and nephews that are all very cherished by the family.

In honor of and to celebrate the life of Marshall Fox, his family will have a funeral service Saturday, March 25, 2023, at 2:00PM in the Combest Funeral Chapel, 2210 Broadway St., with interment following at Peaceful Gardens Memorial Park Cemetery in Woodrow Texas. Graveside officiating by lifelong friend and brother in Christ John David Page. Marshall's best friends Robert Ney Walker and blood brother James Roy Gray will speak along with Marshall's numerous writings read by dear family and friends. Arrangements were entrusted to Combest Funeral Homes.

The following is an autobiography written by Marshall in 1993.

Marshall L. Fox EI/QWL Facilitator

U.S. Postal Service Louisville Annex

4811 Louisville Avenue

Lubbock, Texas, 79413-9712

H. Richard Sechelski Mgr. P.O. Operations Fort Worth District

U.S. Postal Service 4600 Mark IV Parkway Forth Worth, Texas 76616-9998

March 15, 1993

Dear Richard,

Reference: Hector A. Barraza's 1 letter, dated March 2, 1993, requesting a biography from the full-time facilitators in this area. I submit the following:

Early years: I was born March 3, 1940 at Jacksboro, Texas. My father, Alva Marshall was a full gospel Pentecostal evangelists, preacher, teacher, pastor, musician and Bible scholar. My mother, Edna Inez Watson is a musician and teacher. I have an older brother and had a younger sister. I attended school at at Sour Lake, Rising Star and Lubbock, Texas. I graduated from Monterey High School in 1958 and attended Texas Technological University from 19.58-1961.

Postal/Union Work: I attended my first Union training at Wimberley, Texas, in 1969. I was shop steward at Murryhill Station from 1970-76, and at Freedom Station from 1976-82. In 1981, I served Branch 2589 as the elected Vice President. I was appointed V.P. in July 19-90, to fill out an unexpired term. In 1991, I served as the elected V.P. I held the elected office of President during 1992, and had been re­ elected, unopposed as the President for 1993. During all of this time I wrote editorials and articles for the newsletter. I was appointed EI/QWL LJSC Co-chair for the Lubbock MSC during 1992. I have attended all training schools available. I have been to State and National Conventions since 1974 to present with the exceptions of years '86, '87 and '88. I have worked on the LMU team several times, handled step 2 grievances, represent Branch 2589 for discipline /contract cases and at Labor/Management meetings, and other meetings and functions. My Postal career started in April 1966 as a letter carrier. I am a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers, AFL/CIO. On December 8, 1992, Vincent R. Sombrotto, NALC President appointed me to facilitator. This career change from a letter carrier to facilitator was a "God send" and "by the grace of God". I have thoroughly enjoyed the changes and challenges.

Military: I served in the U.S. Army from 1963-65, as clerk/typist and draftsman in a construct ion engineering company, operations sect ion. I was twice wavered time-in-grade and attained the rank of SP/5-E/5 in nineteen months. I did a lot of the training, record keeping and writing. I am a Vietnam era veteran. I was on the Fort Polk, Louisiana Army Track & Field team two years, and placed in the top four, (pole vault) at the Fourth Army Championship meets at Fort Sam, San Antonio and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. (I like to say that I started pole vaulting in 1948 on a wooden windmill sucker rod and vaulted on bamboo, aluminum, steel and Fiberglas poles. I last vaulted with my son, when he was in high school in 1991.)

Present: My wife Verna, and my two sons, Shannon and Russell live at Rt. 13 Box 1014, Lubbock, Texas, 79424-9628, as we have for the past 22 years. We have been married for over twenty-five years. Verna is an R.N. although for the last couple of years she has worked at home. We have been in the cattle raising business, (cow calf operation) since 1970. We presently have four horses, a jack and jenny, a dog and numerous cats and birds. I am a member of the National Cattlemen Association and the Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers Association. Shannon has his Associates Degree from South Plains College in electronics and is working at Texas Instruments. Russell is a junior, and Animal Science major at Tech. Both are great sons and good workers.

Interest: Numerous, is the best word. I thoroughly enjoy my work/job, horses/cattle, family, travel, hot rodding/motorcycling and rattlesnake handling. I have hunted deer/bear/elk in several southwestern states. I now have several cycles and "quads", among which are two Harley Davidsons. One is a 1936 "H.D. Knucklehead" which I traded for in 1958. It was completely restored in 1986. It is an investment, collector, show cycle worth several thousand dollars. It has been a winner at several hill climbs, drag races and car/cycle shows over the last several years. I still have the 1959 XLCH H.D. Sportster which I professionally drag raced for several years. In the late '60s, I ran 10.70s E.Ts. right at 130M.P.H. on gas. I campaigned in several  states. I was a member of the American Motorcycle Association, American Motorcycle Drag Racers Association, National Hot Rod Association, American Drag Racers Association and "World of Wheels", Show Cars of America.

Future: I hope to be a successful writer and be an acceptable motivational/inspirational (change agent) speaker, especially in the field of EI/QWL. By retirement time I hope to have enough land/cattle to stay busy, and be comfortable, healthy and happy.

Wind down: If  I was too windy or bored you, come to Lubbock to see me, and maybe I can get  some "grit in your eye" and some 11brown stuff" on your boots, ••••• er, shoes.