David Holmes Marshall

Memorial services for David Holmes Marshall will be held on Thursday, August 11, 2011, at 7pm at Ted Dickey West Funeral Home in Plano, Texas. Mr. Marshall passed away on August 4, 2011, at Wise Regional Health System in Decatur, TX.

David “Opa” Marshall was born on March 12, 1935 to George and Bertha in Montreal, Canada. When he was four years old his family moved to the United States. He graduated from McMinnville High School in 1953 where he was very active in choir and musicals. There he met his high school sweetheart Patsy Mae Farwell and proposed to her at a high school bonfire. They were married on October 30, 1955 and they began their 55 year honeymoon. They were blessed with five children: Eric, Daryl, Mary, Amy, and Vicki.

He was a dedicated family man and always put his family first. He truely loved his wife and enjoyed spending time with her sharing memories that they created together. One of his most beloved treasures was his 14 grandchildren who gave him the name “Opa,” the German name for Grandpa.

Music was a big part of Opa’s life. He spent his career building and repairing pipe organs which took him all over the country. He also played the pipe organ in various churches and often served as choir director. One of his favorite hymns to play was “God of our Fathers”. After he retired in 1996 he began working for the Plano Independent School District as a bus driver where he was affectionately known as “Super Dave.” In addition to his regular school route, Opa was also the lead driver for the Plano Senior High School band. He loved his job with the schools very much and was quoted saying “if you can’t have a little fun, it’s not worth getting up in the morning.”

Opa was a gifted woodworker. He spent countless hours in his garage building many pieces that will be passed down with great pride. Another one of his passions was working with Patsy and the Girl Scouts. Every activity that she was involved in, Opa was always by her side. He was a recognized volunteer with cookie sales and earned a life time membership. He was very proud of the “Outstanding Volunteer” pin he was awarded for his dedication to Girl Scouting. Opa was a part of a unique global community of “armchair fliers and actual pilots”. His interest and experience in the hobby of flight simulation led him to become a mentor and friend to hundreds of enthusiasts internationally. Not a day would go by that you wouldn’t find a helpful “tip/trick” posted to share with others. Comments from around the world can be found at the following sites.

http://forum.avsim.net/topic/342639-rip-david-opa-marshal/

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/showthread.php?237414-RIP-David-quot-Opa-quot-Marshal

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?56329-RIP-David-Opa-Marshal

Opa always knew how to lighten the mood and was a kid at heart. His smile was contagious and he had a love for life that could not be overlooked. Everyone who met him couldn’t help but love him. He will be greatly missed by everyone.

Opa was proceeded in death by his parents George and Bertha Marshall and his sister, Ponnie Wilmont. He is survived by his wife Patsy and his five children and their spouses; Eric and Debbie Marshall of The Colony TX, Daryl and Barbara Marshall of Lawton OK, Mary and Don Pilkington of Louisville CO, Amy Avalos of Cabot, AR, and Vicki and Scott Harlow of Peyton, CO. Fourteen grandchildren and their families; Stephanie and Marvin Musgrove and children Avery and Kira of The Colony TX, Chris Marshall of Little Elm, TX, Jennifer and Jason of Norman, OK, Mande and Robert Whittington and children Jordyn and Alex of Lawton, OK, Sarah and Brian Schettler of Norman, OK, Sierra Pilkington and Dakota Pilkington of Louisville, CO, Robert and Danielle Plummer and children Victoria, Remington and Alexandra of Little Rock, AR, Christina Plummer of Cabot, AR, Wyatt and Catherine Plummer and children Trinitee and Castiel of Cabot, AR, Aaron Plummer of Cabot, AR, Tai Harlow, Rachel Harlow and Brody Harlow of Peyton, CO.

Should friends desire to make a contribution, the family has designated as recipients of your thoughtfulness Plano Independent School District Bus Drivers and Plano Senior High School Band.

They maybe sent to:

Eric Marshall or Patsy Marshall

c/o DATCU Credit Union 4190 Main Street

The Colony, TX 75056