Ronald James Marshall

Ronald “Ron” James Marshall passed peacefully in his sleep at Whatcom Hospice House on May 21, 2024.

Ron’s birth on December 9, 1941 was very eventful! It was two days after Pearl Harbor was bombed and a blackout was ordered. Ron’s parents, James and Jean Marshall, lived on the far end of Lake Whatcom in a small area called Park. When labor started, they had to creep along winding county roads the best they could, using no headlights, just a flashlight. About a mile from the hospital, Ron was born in the backseat. Ron’s parents would joke that they saved the money on the delivery room.

Ron grew up in Bellingham, especially enjoying playing baseball and later watching the Mariners. His grades allowed him into a small Bible college in Wessington Springs, South Dakota. He thought maybe God was calling him into the ministry. He pastored a Free Methodist Church in Fargo, North Dakota for a few months and realized he had a few different beliefs than the Free Methodists. He came back to Washington and worked in the woods logging with his dad. In a logging accident, his thumb got caught up in a choker. He would say he traded his thumb for a college education.

Ron served in the army Reserves from 1961 to 1967. He eventually entered Western Washington State College. In 1965, he met his future wife, Marlene VanEgdom, in a drop-out line. It was the only class he ever dropped out of, and Marlene was standing with a girlfriend who was dropping a class. He started talking to the girls. They eventually found each other again a few days later when Marlene decided to sit by him in their humanities class. They were married on August 26, 1966, one year later.

Ron taught 5th grade for 29 years at Nooksack Elementary and 6th grade for one year in the Nooksack School District. Over the years, he also served as statistician for some of the Nooksack teams, softball umpire, baseball umpire, and a volleyball referee.

Ron and Marlene found a church home at Nooksack Valley Baptist Church for many years. As times changed, they bought a home in Bellingham and they moved to Bellingham Baptist Church where they served the Lord faithfully for the rest of their lives. Ron and Marlene had a very strong love for missions and supported many in reaching out with the Good News.

Ron is survived by his three children, Tom (Kris) of Ferndale, Darla (Dave) of Lynden, and Peter (Denise) of Pitt Meadows. They were blessed with nine grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, with a 7th on the way. Ron and his wife, Marlene, enjoyed 56 years of marriage before she was called home to Heaven in March of 2023.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 28th at 12:30pm at Bellingham Baptist Church, 2501 Orleans Street, Bellingham, WA. A graveside service will follow at Greenacres Memorial Park, 5700 Northwest Drive, Ferndale, WA.