The Global Archives of the Ecumenical Institute and Institute of Cultural Affairs

Gene Marshall

January 3, 1932 – August 21, 2025

OBITUARY

Gene Wesley Marshall was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He began his education at Oklahoma State University as a mathematician and physicist. In 1953 he decided to leave a mathematics career and attend seminary at Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas. He served as a local church pastor, a chaplain in the army, and in 1962 joined a religious order of families (the Order:Ecumenical). For six years he served as Dean of the Ecumenical Institute’s eight-week residential “Academy” that trained leadership for religious and social engagements with participants from around the world. He also traveled the United States, Latin America, Europe, India, Hong Kong, and Australia as a teacher and lecturer on religious and social ethics topics. In the early 1960s he was an active participant in the civil rights revolution, serving for two years as the Protestant executive of the National Conference on Religion and Race. In the mid 1980s he was one of the organizers of the bioregional movement.

Beginning in 1984 Gene and Joyce Marshall organized a non-for-profit educational organization, “Realistic Living,” and began co-teaching innovative programs and workshops plus publishing journals, books, and essays. Gene’s Memoir, his 12th book-length project will soon be added to these important volumes: The Thinking Christian, So Be Free, and From Empire to Eco-Democracy. Joyce and Gene have lived 33 years in Bonham, Texas—27 in a straw-bale house of their design.

Gene is survived by his wife, Joyce Ann Miller Cunningham Marshall; Bonham, Texas, and children:  Wayne Wesley Marshall; Ojai, California with Katherine McClellan; David Paul Marshall; California with Kate Marshall; Kathleen Ruth Marshall; Sisters, Oregon; and Eva Teresa Marshall; San Pablo, California with Ann Person, His grandchildren include Emily, Ben, Bryce, and Lily; and great-grandchild, Parker. His step family includes:  Leslie K. Ephland; Missoula, Montana and Jan Cunningham; Missoula, Montana with Kris Gray; and niece and nephews: Randy, Linda, Tom and Gary. He was preceded in death by:  his sister, Karldene Marshall Cleveland age 82-2016; his father, Carl Ernest Marshall age 91-1993; his mother, Gladys Irene Bobeck Marshall age 94-1998; and his first wife, Ruth Wilson age 91-2022; three grandparents; nine aunts and uncles and many cousins.

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Order/EI/ICA Friends and Colleagues, Our Dad and Joyce’s husband, Gene Wesley Marshall, is now with the next chapter of the infinite Universe and the Mystery of Life. Joyce and my sister, Teresa, were with him this morning during his transition.

~~  David Marshall

Thank you David, Your father was a good mentor, colleague and friend over many years. He and I did many RS-1’s and PLC’s together in the late 1960’s. In 1968, He, I, Ellen Addington, Kay Hayes and Jim Campbell were assigned to do a 3-month tour of Latin America, a combination of research and teaching. Your father and I did a one-day workshop with all the Catholic bishops of Chile sometime in April ’68. The Chilean bishops were known as the most radical in Latin America. We focused on the parish and the social justice mission of the Church. He mesmerized the bishops.This was just a few weeks before all the bishops in Latin America met in Medellin, Colombia. This conference produced the “preferential option for the poor, an emphasis on Liberation Theology and a commitment to foster base communities.” We may have played a minor role in helping to shape this agenda.

There is an old Spanish play titled “Los Arboles Mueren de Pie (trees die standing up).” Your father was such a tree. Cheryl and I send our condolences and share your grief and gratitude for his completed life.

          ~~  James Addington

Over some 60 years, I have known and worked with Gene. Without question, he was by far the greatest and most effective living theologian that I knew.

~~  Ben Ball, on Gene Marshall’s impact

When in Gene’s presence I was struck first by his langy Texan’s style. There was always something outgoing and unselfish about him. He could walk down the hall and have a kind word for everybody. What struck me was his ability to change the simple into spiritual depth. Pretty much everywhere Gene showed up, there was excitement. I remember well his daily office witness about Santa Claus coming to town. He did it with a simple turn of phrase. He remembered the bad boys and girls get coal in their stocking; but to the one, to the ONE, there are no bad boys and bad girls. There are gifts for everyone from the one who gives gifts to all.

~~  Ed Feldmanis

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Gene Marshall was Dean of the Global Academy from 1969-1976. He gave an average of 2-3 lectures a week in the Academy, and many others for various occasions. You can read these below:

ACADEMY  

NEW SOCIAL VEHICLE     

NEW RELIGIOUS MODE

SPIRIT MOVEMENT

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

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