Kenneth Wayne Marshall, long time resident of Hopewell, Texas, passed away Saturday, July 1, 2023 at the age of 76.
Services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Thursday July 6th at Bright-Holland Funeral Home with Wade White officiating, with burial following in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday July 5th.
The second of seven children, Kenneth was born on January 7, 1947 to Winfred Marshall and Vivian Cooley in Paris, Texas. On May 7th, 1981, he married Marilyn Tomblin and two years later they welcomed their only child, Kelli (Marshall) Mallicote.
Kenneth was able to do anything he set his mind on, and he would intensely study and learn everything about it before tackling a project. His hands were an extension of his brain, and they would work delicately and meticulously to construct whatever he dreamed up. Kenneth had many hobbies but among his favorites were his interest and devotion to music, automobiles, and in recent years leather work. He restored, rebuilt, and crafted many one-of-a-kind pieces, all of which were for fun, and many of which were simply gifts for friends and family. If you have a Kenneth Marshall original, you hold a great treasure that he was proud to have perfected especially for you!
Kenneth attended J.G. Wooten School and later graduated from Paris High School. Over the years Kenneth had several jobs but among his first and favorite to talk about was at Pete Huggins Service Station. He had many funny stories from that job, and he valued Pete’s friendship and mentorship over the years. Later in life, Kenneth opened his own business on Lamar Avenue called Kenneth Marshall Muffler & Gun Shop where he worked until the early 1990s. He went on to be a salesman at various jobs and later retired from American National Insurance in 2002 when he was diagnosed with colon cancer. Kenneth fought cancer hard and won, but later in life had a long road with other health conditions that eventually took a toll on his frail body. Through it all, he always took on everything with a positive attitude, a smile, and most definitely always cracking jokes along the way.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Bill, Rickey, Johnny, Jerry, and Bobby, his sister Nancy. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn and daughter Kelli Mallicote and husband Grant Mallicote of Tigertown, Texas, along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family would like to send a special thank you to all the Paris and Dallas area health care workers who cared for Kenneth during the past year.
Pallbearers will be Dean Watson, Clifton Pope, Dr. Colton Wicks, Mickey Huggins, Gary Huggins, Bobby Slagle, Richard Plunk, and Gary Moreland.
Honorary pallbearers will be his devoted friends and music family from the Tuesday Pickers.
To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com
