Jonathan Neil Marshall

Jonathan Neil Marshall was known by many names. Son, brother, soldier, husband, dad, Jon Boy, Coach, Uncle Jon, Earl,and Papa Jon, to name just a few. He responded to them all with the same love, care and interest in the person seeking his friendship, guidance and humor. He never knew how many lives he positively impacted, which was part of his charm.

After a long battle with his health, Jon finally found his earned peace on January 15th, 2022 by the people who loved and respected him the most - his cherished wife, Mary Christina Marshall, his three children Christopher, Kimberley, Stacey and stepson, Christopher Elder. He was 77 years old.

Born in Altadena on April 28th, 1944 to Bert Marshall, Jr. and Elizabeth Marshall; Jon grew up predominately in Pacifica alongside his beloved siblings, Steven and Pamela. They spent many summers with their mother’s family in Santa Maria, building strong bonds and goofing off with their cousins. In 1962, Jon graduated from Terra Nova High School and readied himself for a quick transition to adulthood. A loyal and prideful American, Jon answered the call when his country needed men like him to serve his country during the Vietnam War. Upon his return, he married Maureen Lou Nicoll and together they raised a family in Pacifica and Burlingame. Jon joined his brother in their family’s business, The Marshall Associates, Inc. and began a long and enjoyable road of designing commercial kitchens and building lifelong friendships for over 45 years. Before retiring in 2012, he happily spent his last working years showing his daughter Stacey her way around a kitchen design and likely his favorite thing, their many delicious lunches together.

Jon was an active member and contributor to the Burlingame community. He was a proud member of the Lions Club, a girls Bobby Sox softball coach and he never declined when asked to take the mound for a men’s recreational softball game. Jon was always called upon to make his famous potato salad for a gathering, to organize a group outing for a chilly Giants night game at Candlestick, to be a partner in horseshoes, and to be a guaranteed shoe-in for a winning team in trivia. Jon loved handicapping horse racing and earned the nickname “Long Shot Johnny”. He knew how to tell a tale and it never failed to end with uproarious laughter from his audience and the glint of beaming mischief in his eyes.

In 1999, Jon met Mary Christina Elder and they quickly knew that they had found something special. In 2000, they were married with their children and closest friends surrounding them. For nearly 25 years, they enjoyed one adventure after another; traveling the world, hosting loved ones who needed a warm safe home and many memorable gatherings with friends. Jon always looked forward to their Wednesday night dinner club where he and Mary Christina would share meals with friends at a new restaurant every week. The last Sunday of every month was reserved for time to enjoy friendships and meals with their church friends. As an honorary member of Mary Christina’s water aerobic group (named by Jon :”The Bobbers”) and earned the name “El Patron”. Jon loved golf and played his entire life, sharing many rounds with friends, teaching new players how to master the game.

While Jon loved being a member of his community, he was his most proud watching his three children move through their lives. Playing on their sports field of choice when they were young…and there were many, caravaning them and their friends all over town, hysterically laughing over family dinners, their annual houseboat trips and eventually watching them become adults, marry their best friends and create families of their own. He deeply loved all five of his grandchildren and enjoyed hearing all about their own little adventurous lives.
Jon is preceded in death by his father, Egbert Pendleton Marshall II; his mother, Elizabeth Olivera Marshall and stepson Matthew Cloninger. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Christina Marshall, his siblings Steven Marshall (Marty) and Pamela Sheline (Michael); Maureen Nicoll Marshall; his children Christopher Marshall (Shannon), Kimberley Volk (Robert), and Stacey Jennings (Benjamin); his step children Christopher Elder and Sara Holland (Jimmie); and his grandchildren Jordyn Volk, Haley Marshall, Tanner Volk, Samuel Jennings, Henry Jennings, Killian Cloninger, Adeline Cloninger and Saoirse Holland.

Jon was a good man spending his life touching everyone he met in a beautiful way - always positive, kind, generous and wise, making us feel beautiful and important. Often Jon would say, “We are here to care for others, not ourselves, to practice what Jesus taught us when he was on earth.”

We are all grateful for his presence in our lives.

In lieu of flowers:

Donations may be made in memory of Jonathan Neil Marshall

Burlingame Lions Club - P.O. Box 206, Burlingame, Ca 94010

or

To Support our Veteran's:

The Fisher House, donations@fisherhouse.org or (301)294 8506