Alfred Lamar "Butch" Marshall, Jr., 68, of Port Lavaca, passed away on May 27, 2013 after a long battle with heart disease. He was born December 22, 1944 in Victoria, Texas, to Lamar and Bernice (Findley) Marshall. He was a life-long resident of Port Lavaca.
"Butch" was the owner/operator of Marshall Gulf Service Station/U-Haul, and Gulfway Motors, car sales and service, in Port Lavaca.
Survivors: wife, Darlene, children: Karen Hill, Lorraine Chavana (husband Alfonzo), Alfred Lamar "Trey" Marshall III (Kristi); grandchildren: Brittany (Jason), Zachary (Tiffany) and Landry Hill, Blayke Phillips, McKenzie and Alfred Lamar "Quaid" Marshall IV, and Ava Chavana; step-grandchildren: Cameron Williams, Kaleigh and Jadon Gonzales, and Dominic Caldera; mother, Bernice Marshall; brother, Lanny Marshall (wife Linda); sister, Cynthia Cueller (husband Stephen); aunts and uncles, Janel Marshall, Frances and Elbert Sanders, & Norman Marshall, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
"Butch" is preceded in death by his father, grandparents, and numerous aunts and uncles.
Visitation: Thursday, May 30th, 6-8pm; Celebration of Life: Friday, May 31st, 11am, all at First United Methodist Church, Port Lavaca. Pastors Nathan Smalley and Dean Holford, officiating. Burial to follow at Six Mile Cemetery.
Pallbearers: John Bellah, Alvin Bland, Jimmy Cox, Harold Daniel, Steve Hekimian, Richard Koch, Chipper Sneed and Jason Wappelhorst.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of South Texas.
"Butch's" family wishes to thank Dr. Kar, the heart-transplant team, and medical staff from St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston, Girling Home Healthcare, and Hospice of South Texas, who cared for "Butch" throughout his illness. They would also like to thank everyone for the many expressions of sympathy received. All are deeply and sincerely appreciated!
Arrangements under the care of Grace Funeral Chapel.
A memory book and full obituary are available at:
www.gracefuneralhome.net

∼Alfred Lamar "Butch" Marshall, Jr., 68, of Port Lavaca, passed away on Monday, May 27, 2013 after a long battle with heart disease. He was born December 22, 1944 in Victoria, Texas, to Lamar and Bernice (Findley) Marshall. He was a life-long resident of Port Lavaca.

"Butch" was a most friendly and jovial man, always smiling and happy to help or to share a laugh! As a child, and aunt nicknamed him "Little Butchie", and as a teen someone nicknamed him "Wimpy" after the character who loved hamburgers, a name which an old classmate will still say on occasion. While "Butch" had several nicknames given to him, he was known for giving others nicknames or pet names, as well. Some were endearing while others were sometimes silly, but that was "Butch", always drawing people in, making them smile, laugh, or feel important!

At the age of 14 he met the girl, who would later become his wife, at the home of his next-door neighbor, Karen Steger Helms. He graduated from Calhoun High School in 1963, and a few years later married Darlene Hengst, with whom he recently celebrated 48 years of marriage. "Butch" and Darlene have three children, Karen, Lorraine and Alfred III - "Trey".

To say "Butch" knew a lot of people is an understatement! Many people met "Butch" through his career while working at the family business, Marshall Lumber & Hardware, or as a car salesman at Marshall Pontiac, and then as the owner/operator of Marshall Gulf Service Station/U-Haul, and Gulfway Motors, car sales and service, located in Port Lavaca. He worked many long hours, but enjoyed what he did while meeting, interacting and helping/serving people.

In his younger years, when he wasn't working, "Butch" loved to fish and to spend time on his boat. He enjoyed taking his family to the island for a day at the beach, and when fishing, would have a boat full of flounder in no time, sometimes gigging two at a time! He would fish all night, returning home just before lunch to dine on the flounder and would always say "Fresh flounder, slept in the bay last night!"

"Butch" had a beautiful voice and loved to sing! He was a high school choir favorite, and enjoyed singing with friends in school, throughout his life at home with family, at family reunions each year, and in his later years with at his church. In September of 2011 he had an exciting night, singing with his cousin, Chipper Sneed, and band, at an establishment in Austin, Texas.

Having grown up around a lumber yard and mill, "Butch" had a love for building and woodworking. In his later years he made beautiful hand-crafted woodwork, swings and benches, and a gazebo by the bay where he loved to sit and enjoy the serene peacefulness of the water.

"Butch" had heart trouble for many years, but his positive outlook and light-hearted attitude surely carried him through his long and courageous battle much longer than anyone would have imagined! He had an amazing will to live and fought against the odds for years!

"Butch" was a Christian, and while awaiting a heart transplant in 2004, even though the odds were slim that a match would be found, with only a few days left to live, he remained a positive and faithful witness to all around him that God would perform a miracle on his behalf, telling the doctor "Doc., don't give up on me! Half of the state of Texas is praying for me to receive a heart!" And that very night, July 15, 2004, just hours before a scheduled procedure intended to "buy him more time" a donor's heart arrived that was a perfect match! After "Butch" received the heart, he never let an opportunity pass to tell his story, a testimony to others of the amazing thing that God did for him, and to remind all of God's love and salvation, and what He can do if we trust Him!

Anyone who had an opportunity to see, smile at, exchange hello's with, visit or spend even a moment with "Butch" over the last almost-9 years, since his transplant, has been touched by a miracle granted by the hand of God, Himself! - The miracle of life! A second chance at life that many long for, one that "Butch" Marshall was blessed with and had the privilege and opportunity to live!

Some would give anything for one more moment, and "Butch" received years! Years in which he experienced things such as the South Texas miracle snow of Christmas 2004, which he truly believed God allowed him to live to see! Years he cherished as he lived to see several grandchildren enter the family! Years in which he got to enjoy making more memories, spending time with his family and friends! Years in which he was able to share his story with others!

While "Butch" would have preferred to live longer still, not wanting to miss even a moment with his family and friends, it was not to be. So on Memorial Day his battle with failing health came to a close, where he suffers no longer and is at home in heaven with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Although he was not a war veteran, his passing on Memorial Day is a reminder of the personal battle which he bravely fought.

"Butch" is preceded in death by his father, grandparents, and numerous aunts and uncles.

Burial will follow service at the Six Mile Cemetery. Port Lavaca, Texas.

Arrangements by Grace Funeral Chapel, Port Lavaca. Published by Grace Funeral Home, May 28, 2013.