Marshall, Melvin “Mel”

May 24, 1945 – October 31, 2021

It is with great sadness that the family of Melvin “Mel” Franklin Marshall announce his passing on Sunday October 31, 2021, at the age of 76 years.

Mel was born in…Illinois, graduated from Miami School in Claypool Arizona, attended University of Arizona for two years and studied mathematics prior to joining the United States Army.

Survived by one sister Jean Faye Bell, 11 nieces, 2 nephews and many great nieces and nephews, dearest friend Susan Lightbody, many friends from organizations such as the VFW, American Legion, Moose Lodge #1392, B.P.O.E. #1551,  SASS -Single Action Shooters Society, ACC -American Cribbage Congress

Mel Marshal was a veteran of the Vietnam War as a Green Beret in the 46^th Special Forces for the Army.  The United States Army recognized Mel for his honorable service with numerous accommodations and honors.

After his service in the Military, Mel returned to the states and made his home in Fairbanks, Alaska where he resided for approximately 50 years and built a career as an electrician. His passion in his retirement years was the SASS – Single Action Shooters Society, Home of Cowboy Shooting, where he finished #1 in his class at the Winter Range National Championship in 2019.

Other Accomplishments: He was a commercial fisherman and ran a fish wheel; worked on every pump-station along the Alaska Pipeline from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez; worked in Nome on a gold dredge; and retired from IBEW local 1547

Family and friends are invited to share their memories of Mel at a Celebration of Life, VFW Post 3629, at 324 2^nd St. Fairbanks Alaska, Saturday November 6, 2021, at 12p.m. A second Celebration of Life will be held in Arizona at the annual Marshall Fish Fry; Saturday March 5, 2022, J&M Boat Storage Roosevelt, Arizona.