Marshall Herman (Pat) Schell Jr.

Marshall Herman (Pat) Schell Jr. gave up this earthly life on April 26, 2021 to go and be with Jesus. He was born in Raleigh on May 17, 1928 to Marshall Herman Schell and Margaret Newsom Schell. He grew up in the Five Points neighborhood and had many fond and colorful memories of childhood in a simpler time. At Broughton High School he met his future wife Sabra Ives although neither one knew it at the time. After graduating in 1946 he joined the Army and became a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division in a futile attempt to conquer a fear of heights. He was in Japan for the post-war occupation. Upon returning home he enrolled at UNC Chapel Hill where he majored in history. After college he and Sabra reconnected, fell in love and were married. They settled in Raleigh and proceeded to have four children.

Pat made a career as an insurance agent but he probably should have been an engineer. He was always tinkering with projects around the house, many of which were extremely clever. He was a devoted husband and father and a man of strong faith. He believed in service and was always happy to help others. Pat touched the lives of many people in many ways. Little League coach, Stephen Ministry, Meals on Wheels and multiple church related projects and activities were only some of the ways he gave back to the community.

He had a great love for the North Carolina coast. During annual beach vacations he taught his children to swim, sail and drive the dune buggy he built himself. He walked almost every mile of the NC Outer Banks. In 1978 he and Sabra purchased an old house on the Morehead City waterfront which they thought they couldn’t afford. It turned out to be the smartest investment they ever made, and not just financially. For 29 years the house on Shepard Street was a hub of Schell family activity. Pat and Sabra’s hospitality was prodigious and after he retired, they moved there full time and enjoyed some of the best years of their life there.

Pat is survived by his dear and wonderful wife Sabra Ives Schell and by his four children, Patrick (wife Ellen), Margaret, Johnny (wife Eron), and Sabra. He leaves nine grandchildren, Nathan, Jonathan, Marion, Will, Sam, Ian, Daniel, Nora and Ben, and three great grandchildren, Lily, Kaden, and Caden. We all loved him dearly and he loved each one of us in a way that made everyone feel special. He was the best we ever could have hoped for.

The family wishes to express our deepest gratitude to the wonderful staff at Waltonwood of Cary for their superlative care and genuine affection for Pat and Sabra. They have been a blessing to us all. We also wish to thank Heartland Hospice for the excellent and compassionate care they gave to Pat in his final days. We are extremely grateful.

A graveside service will be held Friday, April 30th at 11:00 am at Montlawn Memorial Park, 2911 South Wilmington St. Raleigh.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Services by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh.